The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Omar interacts with Congress workers
Srinagar, July 4
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reached out to Congress workers and heard their views at a meeting here today. The initiative, the first in the coalition history of the state, was aimed at strengthening the alliance at all levels, an official spokesman said.

Omar skips function, Kashmiri Pandits’ organisation seeks reason
Jammu, July 4
The Youth All-India Kashmiri Samaj, an organisation of internally displaced Kashmiri Pandits, today sought an explanation from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for not attending its function on July 1.

Cracking the whip

Officials of the Weight and Measures Department along with the police check the meter of an autorickshaw in Jammu on Monday. Tribune photo: Inderjeet Singh

Governor, Omar greet people on Gurpurb
Srinagar, July 4
Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have felicitated the people on the birth anniversary of Guru Hargobind being celebrated across the country tomorrow.

Chaos at National Conference meet
Party workers flay ministers
Srinagar, July 4
Unruly scenes were witnessed at a meeting of National Conference (NC) workers with many of them accusing ministers of “ignoring” them. The charge against the ministers was led by NC general secretary Shiekh Nazir Ahmad, who accused them of bringing the party close to destruction.

Defeated panchayat candidate declared winner after 45 days
Jammu, July 4
A defeated candidate in the just-concluded panchayat election in Kishtwar was declared elected 45 days after the counting. The defeated candidate was declared the winner after seven out of the total 37 invalid votes were found valid by Additional Development Commissioner, Kishtwar, Nazir Ahmed Shah, who was acting on an appeal filed by the former.

Delay in appointment of Jammu Central University V-C
Jammu People’s Forum to intensify agitation
Jammu, July 4
Peeved over “inordinate” delay in appointing the Vice-Chancellor of the Jammu Central University (CU), the Jammu Province Peoples’ Forum, a conglomerate of several social, trade and political groups, today threatened to launch an agitation, including hunger strike, from the second week of this month.

Training programme for MEd distance learners
Jammu, July 4
The office of the programme coordinator, NSS, University of Jammu, today organised a training programme for MEd distance learners on the “Role of NSS in Community Reach-out Activities” here.
NSS programme coordinator Jasbir Singh addresses a training programme at the University of Jammu on Monday. A Tribune photograph

DNA samples of missing Samba boy’s mother, paternal aunt sent to forensic laboratory
Jammu, July 4
After recovering a femur bone of a minor boy, the Samba police has sent DNA samples of a missing boy’s mother, his paternal aunt and the bone to the CFSL, New Delhi. What prompted the police to send the samples was the fact that a nine-year-old boy, Shubam Sharma of Swankha Morh in Vijaypur, went missing on March 30 this year and the police suspected that he might have been murdered.

Natrang condoles death of actor Bholla
Jammu, July 4
The Natrang Theatre Group condoled the untimely death of its lead actor, Dr Hemant Bholla, here today. Hemant (25) died after a brief illness. A prayer meeting was held, which was attended by all the Natrang artists, who prayed for peace of the departed soul. The artists also condoled the death of Bholla’s mother, who also died on the same day.

BJYM protests water shortage
Jammu, July 4
Activists of the Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha, led by district party president Munish Khajuria, held a protest in front of the office of the Chief Engineer, Public Health Engineering (PHE), on the BC Road against water shortage.
Activists of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha stage a protest against water shortage in Jammu on Monday. Tribune photo: Inderjeet Singh

Amarnath yatra resumes as weather improves
Chhari Mubarak rituals to begin on July 15
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 4
With the weather improving on both the routes of the Amarnath yatra this morning, the movement of pilgrims from Baltal and Nunwan base camps and from the camps en route the cave shrine was allowed today.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), RK Goyal, the movement of the yatris was satisfactory. The pilgrims’ progress was being continuously monitored in view of the uncertain weather in the area in the past few days. The CEO stated that over 17,000 yatris had paid their obeisance at the holy cave shrine today.

Goyal again appealed to all intending pilgrims to register themselves and obtain a yatra permit before embarking on the pilgrimage to avoid facing inconvenience on arrival in the state as well as causing inconvenience to the registered pilgrims. He emphasised that the pilgrims must embark on the yatra strictly as per the dates and on the routes specified in their permits. No unregistered yatri would be allowed to proceed towards the cave shrine, he added.

Meanwhile, considering the huge rush of pilgrims at the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps and inclement weather in the yatra area in the past few days, the movement of yatris along both the routes was reviewed at a meeting here today.

The meeting held at Raj Bhavan discussed specific measures for strengthening the access control systems at all the camp locations in the yatra area, an official spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Chhari Mubarak, the holy mace of Lord Shiva, will be taken to Pahalgam from Srinagar on July 15, marking the commencement of the ritualistic yatra to the Amarnath cave shrine.

This was announced by Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of the mace, here today.

As per the programme, Chhari Mubarak would leave Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar, for Pahalgam on July 15.” Bhoomi Pujan” and “Dhwajarohan” ceremonies would be performed at Pahalgam after which, the holy mace would return to its abode in Srinagar in the evening. En route, prayers would be offered at the historic Martand Temple, Mattan.

In connection with the conclusion of the Amarnath yatra, Chhari Mubarak would start its journey from Dashnami Akhara here to the holy cave on August 8 with a night halt at Pahalgam. After prayers at Pahalgam on August 9, the holy mace would be taken to Chandanwari for a night halt. The next journey would be from Chandanwari to Shehnag, Sheshnag to Panjtarni and from there, the holy mace would reach the cave shrine on the morning of August 13 coinciding with Raksha bandhan.

After day-long prayers, the holy mace would start its return journey on August 14, the Mahant said.

Pilgrimage, a source of livelihood for ponywalas
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria reports from Amarnath Cave Shrine

Besides cementing communal bonds, the annual Amarnath is a source of livelihood for ponywalas. Jaffar, a 21-year-old ponywala from Pahalgam, says the yatra, which is being held for 45 days this year, provides livelihood to nearly 50,000 ponywalas, who operate on the twin tracks of Baltal and Chandanwari.

Around 15,000 to 20,000 ponywalas operate on the 16-km Baltal track while about 30,000 operate on the 32-km Chandanwari track, he says.

“We are poor people and to earn two square meals is a tough task for us. But the Amarnath yatra brings prosperity to us,” says Jaffar. “This year, I bought a mule for Rs 40,000 to enable my younger brother, Iqbal, earn money for the family by carrying pilgrims on the Chandanwari track,” he adds.

Jaffar says his family of nine is totally dependant on the pilgrimage. “Whatever we earn during the pilgrimage helps us meet our requirements throughout the year,” he says, adding that on an average, a ponywala earns between Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000 during the yatra.

However, a beginner has to contend with anything between Rs 20,000 and Rs 25,000. The ponywalas have been issued identity cards by the authorities concerned. “I operate on the Baltal track considered more difficult than the traditional Chandanwari route. However, I have asked my brother to operate his pony on the Chandanwari route because of its easy topography,” says Jaffar.

He admits that protracted militancy in the state has hit poor people like him the hardest. “But now things have started improving and we are praying to God that everlasting peace is restored to the state so that poor people like us can earn their livelihood peacefully,” he says.

“Militancy wreaked havoc on the state and it was the underprivileged strata of society, which bore the brunt of it,” he says.

Not only ponywalas but also palanquin carriers, “pithoos” and shopkeepers at the twin base camps and in the cave shrine area earn their livelihood from the yatra. “It is true that we earn our livelihood because of this yatra, but it is not an easy affair,” says Latief, a shopkeeper in the Amarnath cave shrine area. “For a makeshift shop, one has to pay Rs 600 to the authorities concerned as fee,” he adds.

Omar interacts with Congress workers
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 4
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reached out to Congress workers and heard their views at a meeting here today. The initiative, the first in the coalition history of the state, was aimed at strengthening the alliance at all levels, an official spokesman said.

By starting the programme, the Chief Minister had started a process of having regular interaction with Congress workers at the district level to ascertain their views for improving the bonds of coalition and implementing development works across the state, the spokesman added.

Speaking at the meeting with Congress activists from Kupwara and Baramulla districts, Omar highlighted the need for joint efforts by the NC and the Congress to solve the problems of the people.

“Both the parties believe in secularism and democracy and are staunch supporters of peace and development in the state,” he said, and laid emphasis on efforts by workers of both the parties to strengthen these principals.

“Regular meetings would be held with the Congress workers in this regard,” he said and assured them that their reasonable suggestions for peace and development of the state would be given due importance.

“Our aim is to deliver on the public service guarantee front, more efficiently and meaningfully. The people have given their mandate to the coalition partners to run the government and address needs of the public,” he said.

He advised the workers of both the parties to live up to the expectations of the people and air their grievances at all relevant forums.

Vice-President, JKPCC, Ghulam Nabi Moonga; General Secretary, PCC, Qazi Mehboob Ellahi; president, Youth Congress, Shoaib Nabi Lone; General Secretary, Mahila Congress, Shameema Sopoori and various District Congress Committee members and other party activists were present at the meeting.

The speakers talked about the strengthening of the coalition at the grass-roots and promoting the relationship between the two parties.

They also brought to the notice of the Chief Minister various demands about launching of development schemes in their areas.

	Chaos at National Conference meet Party workers flay ministers Srinagar, July 4 Unruly scenes were witnessed at a meeting of National Conference (NC) workers with many of them accusing ministers of “ignoring” them. The charge against the ministers was led by NC general secretary Shiekh Nazir Ahmad, who accused them of bringing the party close to destruction. Ahmad, a close relative of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah, even refused to allow Shamima Firdous, chairperson of the State Women’s Commission and MLA from Habbakadal, to sit on the dais, a party worker told PTI. Prominent among those present at the meeting were Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, CAPD Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon, Social Welfare Minister Sakina Ittoo and several legislators, including Shiekh Mustafa Kamal, Peer Afaq Ahmad, Mohammad Yasin Shah and Ghulam Qadir Pardesi. He said Ahmad also criticised the ministers hailing from the rural areas of the Valley for ignoring Srinagar, the state’s summer capital. “The general secretary lamented that these ministers were only interested in constructing bungalows for themselves and did not bother to address the issues of the common man,” an NC worker said. Encouraged by Ahmad’s criticism of the ministers, many party workers shouted slogans against them. The meeting had to be cancelled and the ministers escorted to the safety of another room. — PTI
	Defeated panchayat candidate declared winner after 45 days Tribune News Service Jammu, July 4 A defeated candidate in the just-concluded panchayat election in Kishtwar was declared elected 45 days after the counting. The defeated candidate was declared the winner after seven out of the total 37 invalid votes were found valid by Additional Development Commissioner, Kishtwar, Nazir Ahmed Shah, who was acting on an appeal filed by the former. Although Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Mohammed Hussain Malik refused to comment on the decision of the authorities concerned, he, however, said the counting, which was done under his supervision, was not questionable. “If any candidate has reservations about the decision taken by the authorities concerned, he can appeal to the higher authorities,” Malik told The Tribune over the phone. In the keenly contested election to the Dhrubeel panchayat of the Inderwal Assembly segment, Puran Chand was elected by a margin of four votes. After his rival, Pyari Lal, who was the ex-sarpanch, objected to the declaration of some votes as invalid, the Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, supervised the counting on May 21.
	Delay in appointment of Jammu Central University V-C Jammu People’s Forum to intensify agitation Tribune News Service Jammu, July 4 Peeved over “inordinate” delay in appointing the Vice-Chancellor of the Jammu Central University (CU), the Jammu Province Peoples’ Forum, a conglomerate of several social, trade and political groups, today threatened to launch an agitation, including hunger strike, from the second week of this month. The forum had been spearheading the agitation, demanding the appointment of a local academician as the Vice-Chancellor of the university. In a statement issued here today, forum president Inderjeet Khajuria stated that the exact date of launching the hunger strike would be decided at a meeting of the core committee on Wednesday. The forum has also decided to extend full support and participate in any agitation launched by any other organisation or party for the cause of the university. Khajuria said the forum had resolved to intensify the movement by extending it to the rural areas and holding hunger strikes at tehsil levels. At a meeting of the forum, senior leader Narayan Singh castigated the government for its alleged move to sideline the issue. He warned the authorities that further delay in appointing the Vice-Chancellor might trigger widespread protests across Jammu. Meanwhile, National Secular Forum (NSF) activists staged a demonstration against the delay in the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor on the Jammu University campus here today. Led by NSF state president Vikas Sharma, the activists shouted slogans against the UPA government.
	Training programme for MEd distance learners Tribune News Service Jammu, July 4 The office of the programme coordinator, NSS, University of Jammu, today organised a training programme for MEd distance learners on the “Role of NSS in Community Reach-out Activities” here. In the first technical session, Prof Jasbir Singh, programme coordinator, NSS, University of Jammu, spoke on the “Role of NSS in Community Reach-out Activities”. In the second technical session, Dr Vishav Raksha, programme officer, University of Jammu, spoke on “Gender Sensitisation through Curriculum and Textbooks”. In the third technical session, Dr Anupama Vohra, programme officer, Directorate of Distance Education (DDE), University of Jammu, spoke on “Enhancing Life Skills”. In the fourth technical session, Prof Neeru Sharma, Head, Department of Home Science, University of Jammu, spoke on “Millennium Development Goals and Youth”. Prof Lokesh Verma, Head and Dean, Education, University of Jammu, was the chief guest and Dr Meenakshi Kilam, Director, DDE, was the special guest. Prof Jasbir Singh, NSS programme coordinator, University of Jammu, introduced the objectives of the workshop and highlighted NSS activities undertaken by the DDE. Prof Lokesh Verma, in his address, said teacher-educators should incorporate such activities in their classroom activities to imbibe selflessness, harmony and peaceful living among the youth.Dr Kilam, in her address, stressed the need to make distance-learners aware about extension and outreach activities along with academics for a holistic development.
	DNA samples of missing Samba boy’s mother, paternal aunt sent to forensic laboratory Tribune News Service Jammu, July 4 After recovering a femur bone of a minor boy, the Samba police has sent DNA samples of a missing boy’s mother, his paternal aunt and the bone to the CFSL, New Delhi. What prompted the police to send the samples was the fact that a nine-year-old boy, Shubam Sharma of Swankha Morh in Vijaypur, went missing on March 30 this year and the police suspected that he might have been murdered. “The DNA samples of Veena Devi, whose nine-year old son, Shubam Sharma, went missing on March 30 this year, and Shubam’s paternal aunt ( since his father was dead) along with those of a femur bone have been sent to the CFSL, New Delhi,” Samba SSP Israr Khan told The Tribune. “We are now expecting the report from the CFSL, New Delhi, and after getting it, will take up further investigations,” said Khan. The Samba police had already identified some suspects, but had kept their identity secret till the results of the DNA tests were received, sources said. On April 2, Veena Devi, widow of late Kaka Ram Sharma, had lodged a complaint with the Vijaypur police that her nine-year old,Shubam Sharma, had been missing since March 30. On May 8, the Samba police had found the femur bone near a graveyard in Vijaypur on the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway.
	Natrang condoles death of actor Bholla Tribune News Service Jammu, July 4 The Natrang Theatre Group condoled the untimely death of its lead actor, Dr Hemant Bholla, here today. Hemant (25) died after a brief illness. A prayer meeting was held, which was attended by all the Natrang artists, who prayed for peace of the departed soul. The artists also condoled the death of Bholla’s mother, who also died on the same day. Bholla worked in Natrang for over four years and participated in almost all its major productions, including ‘Bawa Jitto’, ‘Ghumayee’ ‘Mahabhoj’, ‘Suno Eh Kahani’, ‘Girgit’, ‘Sainyan Bhaye Kotwal’, ‘Dhoop Ka Ek Tukra’, ‘Holi’, ‘Gatte-Ch-Mannu’ and ‘Sultaan’. Speaking about the deceased actor, Natrang director Balwant Thakur, said, “He was one of the finest human beings and would help everyone. He was blessed with a pleasing personality. Currently, he was acting in films and TV serials in Mumbai.” “His loss has created a big vacuum, which will not be filled in the years to come,” Thakur added. Prominent among those who attended the prayer meeting included Neeraj Kant, Sanjeev Gupta, Suraj Ganjoo, Sumeet Sharma, Renu Sharma, Sunil Palwal, Mohit Sharma, Rahul Singh, Rohit Verma, Vikram Sharma, and Mayank Bakshi.
	BJYM protests water shortage Tribune News Service Jammu, July 4 Activists of the Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM), led by district party president Munish Khajuria, held a protest in front of the office of the Chief Engineer, Public Health Engineering (PHE), on the BC Road against water shortage. They raised slogans against the department. Khajuria said a number of areas in Jammu city like Rajpura, Shakti Nagar, Shiv Nagar, Bakshi Nagar, Trikuta Nagar and Narwal Bala were facing an acute shortage of drinking water. In many areas, people were getting water supply only twice a week while the PHE authorities claimed of supplying water regularly. He said for clean drinking water, people had to approach the department as even the minimum quantity was not available. Khajuria said the BJYM would intensify its agitation on the issue.