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Chinks in Cong widen
Pandits want Hindu Shrines Bill passed
Keeping troops at Siachen India’s strategic compulsion
6 killed in Doda road mishap
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Mammal count up in Ladakh
Geelani calls for strike on June 11
Digvijay retracts his remarks on Omar
Apex court Judge opens dispute resolution centre
Minister calls for efforts to increase tax revenue
Panel reviews implementation of MPLAD Scheme
Man gets jail for bid to rape 6-yr-old
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Chinks in Cong widen
Jammu, June 5 Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, All-India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary Gulchain Singh Charak, along with veteran party leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma, graced the occasion and appreciated Balwan Singh for working assiduously for strengthening the Congress. Interestingly, Balwan Singh belongs to the faction owing allegiance to Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, but the presence of Mangat Ram Sharma at the function has raised many an eyebrow because he is considered to be close to the PCC chief. Although the function was organised to felicitate newly elected Congress-supported sarpanches and panches of Marh block, a lot of importance is being attached to the programme due to the presence of Mangat Ram Sharma, who belongs to the pro-Soz faction. Others who were present at the function are known detractors of Soz. Sources in the party said today’s function was organised to give a message to those who have been opposing the entry of “traitors” into the party. The function was also aimed at targeting supporters of Soz. Last week, during a meeting with Soz, a “strong faction” in the Congress had opposed the return of “traitors” to the party. It had made it clear that those who had contested the last Assembly elections against the official party candidates should not be allowed to re-enter the party. Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister stressed the need for strengthening the Congress. He said the policies and programmes of the Congress were aimed at removing poverty. He mentioned that the Congress-led UPA government had formulated many revolutionary schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the Indira Awas Yojna for poverty alleviation. Congratulating the newly elected sarpanches and panches of Marh block, the Deputy Chief Minister claimed that the victory of a large number of Congress-supported candidates in the ongoing panchayat elections was a clear indication that people were satisfied with the performance of the present coalition regime. Calling upon the people to strengthen the Congress, the Deputy Chief Minister claimed that the Congress alone had the programmes and policies to address the aspirations of all sections of society. Former Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma cautioned the people against the designs of forces which wanted to divide society. He emphasised the need for strengthening communal harmony and brotherhood in the state. |
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Pandits want Hindu Shrines Bill passed
Jammu, June 5 At a meeting held at the Kashmiri Pandit Sabha hall here, community leaders alleged that there was a deliberate move to stop the passage of the Bill as “the land mafia, backed by a section of the state
administration, was encroaching upon many such shrines, which were symbols of the socio-cultural and religious identity of Kashmiri Pandits. The meeting was attended among others by various representatives of Kashmiri Pandits’ organisations, advocates, retired judges, journalists, members
from the teaching fraternity, writers, poets and intellectuals belonging to
the community. RL Bhatt of the Jammu and Kashmir Vichar Manch said of the about 600 temples and shrines of Kashmiri Pandits situated in the Valley, half of them had already been encroached upon “both by the public and government machinery”, who had raised huge structures on the land during the past two decades. Citing examples, Bhatt said the shrine of Suraj Kund at Zewan had been encroached upon by some locals, while in Shopian town, the government
had constructed a bus stand on land belonging to Kashmiri Pandits. “Similarly, a bridge had been constructed over a cremation ground at Sopore, while a shrine at Sogam stood encroached upon by some locals,”
he alleged. Bhatt alleged that some “discredited and greedy political non-entities” were acting as a stumbling block to the passage of the Bill. The community leadership urged the government to hold a survey to identify all shrines and temples belonging to Kashmiri Pandits. “The exercise should be conducted under a First Class Magistrate with 1960 as a cut-off date,” Hira Lal of Shaheed Prem Nath Memorial Trust said. Advocate Kanwal Krishan Pandit questioned why the government was not framing an inventory of land that belonged to Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir. He said there should also be a provision for an “accountable governing body” to take care of all such shrines and temples which were in a state of utter neglect in the Valley. Meanwhile, Shaheed Prem Nath Memorial Trust, which is spearheading the movement for the passage of the Bill, has drawn up a plan to force the government to take measures so that shrines and temples belonging to Kashmiri Pandits could be protected. It said a nationwide agitation would be launched if the passage of the Bill was further delayed. |
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Keeping troops at Siachen India’s strategic compulsion
Jammu, June 5 While New Delhi and Islamabad have failed to agree on the modalities for the demilitarisation of Siachen at the 12th Defence Secretary-level talks, it is Karakoram Pass, which has forced India to station its troops at Siachen, said defence sources. “Some parts of Karakoram Pass, which connects Gilgit-Baltistan with China, is under our dominance. To put it more precisely, since we are sitting at a considerable height, some portions of it (Karakoram highway) is well within our range, and if we withdraw from the present position in Siachen, the entire advantage will be squandered away to Pakistan and China,” the sources said. What China and Pakistan can do to us in the long run could be anybody’s guess, they said, adding that Pakistan would waste no time in capturing the strategic heights. “Though India insists upon the actual ground position line (AGPL) and wants Pakistan to authenticate it on a map along which the troops are at present deployed, the latter wants us to withdraw to the positions that existed in 1984,” said the sources. The AGPL is not clearly marked beyond NJ-9842, just short of Siachen Glacier, thereby triggering the dispute between the two nuclear countries. “Siachen has always remained strategically important for us and the growing proximity between China and Pakistan, via Karakoram Pass, has altogether made Siachen indispensable for us,” a source in the Defence Ministry told The Tribune. While both countries at the end of the 12th Defence Secretary-level talks agreed to carry on the ongoing process, the matter of the fact is that we could not afford to lose the advantage, said the source. In the last talks both countries had exchanged “non-papers” unofficially presenting their respective views to each other and this time around Pakistan, while describing Beijing as a party to the issue, wanted to involve China in the resolution of the Siachen issue, but India rejected it. “With Pakistan in all sorts of problems because of home-grown terrorism, we have to be very careful before agreeing on something vis-à-vis Siachen. Chinese troops have already been sighted across the Line of Control, while Chinese companies, in tandem with Pakistan, are exploiting the vast natural resources of scarcely populated Gilgit-Baltistan. And going by the past experiences in Siachen, India must approach the matter very cautiously,” said the source. |
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6 killed in Doda road mishap
Jammu, June 5 According to a report, the Tata Sumo was on the way from Gundo Bhelessa to Thathri when the driver lost control over the vehicle and it plunged into a nullah. The deceased have been identified as Ved Parkash, son of Dhoni Chand of Sarror in Kishtwar; Badra Begum, wife of Lal Hussain of Bathri, Gundo; Suman Kumar, son of Gian Chand of Indlu, Gundo; Subash Chand, a jawan of the 18th Battalion of IRP (BELT No 364); and Mohd Hussain, son of Sadder Din
of Thathri. Zenat Begum, wife of Noor Mohamad of Bathri, who was rushed to a local hospital in a critical condition, later died. The police and local residents, besides a team of volunteers of the Red Cross from Kishtwar, have
been engaged in the rescue operations. Some local divers were also engaged in the rescue operations, but due to strong water currents and tough terrain, they were facing problems in retrieving the wreckage of the vehicle, besides locating and recovering the bodies of
the passengers. Meanwhile, a girl died in a road accident and a man suffered injuries when their bike collided with a tipper coming from the opposite direction at Satwari. Report said Vishno Devi (17), daughter of Sher Singh of Rambag, was seriously injured in the mishap and was rushed to the Government Medical College and Hospital. However, the doctors declared her
brought dead. |
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BSF DG visits Chamliyal border outpost
Jammu, June 5 The DG was accompanied by Anjali Srivastava, president of the BSF Wives Welfare Association (BWWA). Additional DG, BSF (West), Rajdip Singh and S Chattopadhyaya, IG, BSF, also accompanied the Director-General. They visited the holy shrine of Baba Chamliyal situated inside the post and paid obeisance. The BSF DG also addressed jawans performing duties on the border and interacted with them. Later, he also addressed a sainik sammelan on the BSF campus, Paloura, which was attended by all ranks of the BSF, Jammu Frontier. He appreciated the efforts made by the Jammu Frontier in bringing peace and tranquillity to the Jammu border. He highlighted the supreme sacrifices made by gallant officers and men in bringing peace to the border state. The BSF DG gave a patient hearing to the grievances of the jawans and resolved their problems. He announced several steps for the modernisation and welfare of the force. Anjali Srivastava, president, BWWA, inaugurated a crèche, Anchal Play School, for children of BSF families. She also inaugurated a beauty parlour for the benefit of the families of BSF personnel. A colourful cultural programme was presented by families of BSF jawans at the family welfare centre. She also addressed members of the BWWA of the Jammu Frontier, appreciating their contribution to activities like World Health Day, Youth Day etc. |
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World Environment Day
Jammu, June 5 A mere visit to the Tawi, popularly known as the Surya Putri, exposed the assurances made by the government. The Tawi, which divides Jammu city into two parts, has become the most polluted river of the state, as the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) is not only dumping solid waste in it, but sewerage from more than 20 direct and indirect channels continues to flow into the river. Having a great religious and historical importance, the Tawi is a major left bank tributary of the Chenab, which flows through Doda, Udhampur and Jammu districts before entering into Pakistan. The total catchment area of the 141-km river is more than 2,100 sq km. “One can better understand the approach of the state government towards such serious issues. If a major river like the Tawi that flows in the mid of the winter capital is dying then we can better understand the condition of other rivers flowing in the state,” said Gaurav Sharma, a social activist. Despite a ban imposed by the High Court, the JMC and the state Pollution Control Board have failed to protect the river from becoming a dumping yard. Sometime ago, a number of plans were announced to beautify the river for the promotion of tourism. Although landscaping of both sides of the river by constructing walkways and an artificial lake were proposed to be built, nothing has come over and polythene bags are still choking the river. Mining mafia is also doing the excavation of sand and stones. Besides, a few people have encroached upon the land inside the river and have made houses in it. Biomedical waste is also being dumped into the river without segregating it from other solid waste. This is also a violation of the Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules-1998. “During the rainy season, the water level in the river increases and the garbage starts floating on the river banks, which not only emits foul smell, but also becomes a health hazard for the people living near the river,” said Indu Sharma, a resident of Bhagwati Nagar. However, Minister of PHE and Irrigation Taj Mohi-ud-Din said, “The government is concerned about preserving rivers and a number of schemes have been launched for the purpose. The work is also going on to beautify the Tawi and in a short period, all loopholes will be plugged”. |
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Mammal count up in Ladakh
Leh, June 5 He was speaking at a function on the occasion of World Environment Day organised by the Ladakh Women Alliance in collaboration with the Forest Department, Leh. He said in the past decade, the population of wild donkey had increased from 104 to 220 in the Changchenmo area of eastern Ladakh and 400 snow leopards were found there. “Recently, a team of the Wildlife Department, Leh, has discovered the presence of extinct pallas cat for the first time in eastern Ladakh, which is already extinct in many other parts of the world,” he added. The Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh Rigzin Spalbar, was chief guest on the occasion. In his address, Spalbar said, “The LAHDC is considering the proposal to ban disposable mineral water bottles in Ladakh”. Although, polythene bags were banned in Leh since 1998, pollution caused by it still continued, as consumer products were packed in it, he added. B Balaji, wildlife warden, Leh, said a study conducted last year by the Indian Institute of Integrated Medicine, Jammu, had found that streams and canals of Leh town were not potable, adding that the water of Pangong Lake and Tsomoriri Lake was still potable. On the occasion, the 14 Corps organised a plantation drive at the Zorawar Ford and the areas adjacent to the 14 Corps Headquarters at
Leh. |
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Geelani calls for strike on June 11
The decision was taken at a meeting of the executive body of the Hurriyat Conference under the chairmanship of Syed Ali Shah Geelani here today. Paying tributes to those killed (around 300 in number) in the summer unrest, the meeting also remembered those killed allegedly at the hands of the security forces in the state over the years. Geelani who, according to the authorities, spearheaded last year’s agitation during which at least 118 youths were killed, was kept under house arrest at his Hyderpora residence on Friday morning. He had alleged that the police did not allow him to offer Friday prayers, amounting to interference in religious matters. He said he had been allowed to offer Friday prayers only on three occasions after March 3 this year. On these occasions he had addressed public meetings at Baramulla, Bandipore and Dooru. On June 11 last year, a teenaged student, Tufail Mattoo, died due to a teargas shell in the Rajouri Kadal area, triggering tension and protests in the Valley. The protest demonstrations continued for nearly four months, which were marked by killings allegedly due to firing by the police and the security forces. |
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Digvijay retracts his remarks on Omar
Jammu, June 5 Sources said the National Conference leadership had taken a serious note of the remarks of Digvijay Singh and had brought the matter to the notice of the Congress high command. Later, Digvijay Singh issued a statement in which he retracted from this previous statement. In the statement, Digvijay Singh said, “I have been given to understand that a section of the media in Jammu and Kashmir has carried reports suggesting that I have criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s functioning. Far from it, I hailed his efforts in holding successful and credible panchayat elections after a gap of three decades in which the voter turnout was impressive.” |
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‘Diary Kuse Lok Nath Di’ staged
Jammu, June 5 As the title suggests, the play revolves around the diary of a person, Lok Nath. The writer’s son finds a diary in a park. Being tempted by the attractive cover of the diary, the writer could not resist going through it, knowingly that peeping into someone’s personal affairs is not a good habit. He finds very interesting and dramatic life account of Lok Nath in the diary. The life of Lok Nath is portrayed in such an interesting manner that a common man identifies with each situation and turn of his life. The opening pages finds Lok Nath disillusioned with everyone around him even to the extent that he has lost faith in God. Later, he looks for something exciting in his life. Cash-starved Lok Nath opts to take tuition of the children of his own boss, this way he will be able to please the hierarchy and make some pocket money as well. Here he encounters the sister-in-law of the boss. Lok Nath finds her attractive, charming and pleasing, which prompts him to venture into an affair. Every day he goes with a new plan to approach her, but is unable to muster courage to do so. Finally, he withdraws his plan for the reason that if his boss comes to know about his intentions he is not only going to lose the girl of his dreams but also the regular job. The most interesting part of the play was its language which was itself a complete theatre. Pawan Verma as Lok Nath portrayed the inner conflicts of the character in a beautiful manner. The director of the
play played the role of narrator himself and demonstrated his grip over the performance. The lights were executed by Rahul Singh. Mohd Yaseen managed the hall. Neeraj coordinated the show and Sumeet Sharma made the presentations. |
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Apex court Judge opens dispute resolution centre
Srinagar, June 5 Supreme Court Judge Justice TS Thakur, Acting Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Justice FM Ibrahim Kalifulla and other senior judges, members of Bar Associations of Jammu and Kashmir Provinces and other legal luminaries were present on the occasion. The building is accommodated with Free Legal Aid Clinic, High Court Legal Services Committee, Mediation Centre and other facilities. The main purpose of the mediation centre is not only to provide free legal aid to the poor, downtrodden, needy, destitute, people living below poverty line but also to provide legal services to the poor, marginalised and weaker sections of society categorised in Section 12 of the Jammu and Kashmir State Legal services Authorities Act, 1997, especially to the people living in faraway places, away from the seats of justice and the offices of the legal services institutions. The aim of the scheme is to provide an inexpensive legal advice, drafting of petitions, notices and replies, applications and other documents of legal importance and also for the resolution of disputes by making the parties to see the reason and thereby preventing disputes reaching courts. In cases where legal services of a higher level are required, the matter can be referred to the legal services Institutions. The additional block housing Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre has been completed at a cost of Rs 400 lakh which will provide accommodation for judge chambers, rest rooms, waiting hall, dispensary, record hall etc. The work on the building was taken up by the JKPCC in November 2006. |
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Minister calls for efforts to increase tax revenue
Srinagar, June 5 “All commercial taxes officials (CTOs) should make individual as well as collective efforts to increase tax revenue without unnecessary harassment to anyone and ensure regular follow up to audit assessments and inspections,” Rather said. He was speaking at a performance review meeting of the Commercial Taxes Department, Kashmir Division, held here yesterday. While appreciating performance of the department on the account of revenue realisation, which has increased from Rs 2,23,124.44 lakh in 2009-2010 to over Rs 2,67,499.55 lakh in 2010-2011, Rather urged for further improving the overall performance of the department adding that there should be no complacency in this regard.
— TNS |
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Panel reviews implementation of MPLAD Scheme
Srinagar, June 5 Accompanying Khan were MPs Moinul Hassan, Shashi Bhushan Behera, Naznin Faruque, joint secretaries, Rajya Sabha, Dr DB Singh and TN Pandey, OSD to the Deputy Chairman Badruddin Khan and other officers. The state was represented by Chief Secretary Madhav Lal. Several Commissioner-Secretaries, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, and Deputy Commissioners also attended the meeting, an official spokesman said. Khan impressed upon the officers of the state government to implement the MPLADS as per the guidelines issued from time to time. He also reviewed the relief and rehabilitation operation carried out in Ladakh following the cloudburst last year. The Chief Secretary informed the committee that the state government was making all details of the MPLADS online so that these were easily accessible to everyone.
— TNS |
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Man gets jail for bid to rape 6-yr-old
Jammu, June 5 While awarding the sentence, the court observed: “Keeping in view the attending circumstances, the accused is sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years and fined Rs 5,000. In case of default of payment of fine, the accused shall further undergoimprisonment for six months.” On April 12, 2004, complainant Neelam Devi lodged a verbal report at the Nagrota police station that when she returned home from work she found her daughter missing. She went ou tin search of her and when she reached near the house of the accused she heard the cries of her daughter. On entering the room she found the accused attempting to rape her minor daughter. |
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Forum burns effigies of PM, Sonia
Jammu, June 5 The activists, led by NSF’s state president Vikas Sharma, shouted slogans against the Union government and asked the Prime Minister to step down.
— TNS
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Srinagar, June 5