Srinagar, July 17
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah today said the Mumbai serial blasts were aimed at derailing the ongoing dialogue process between India and Pakistan.

“There was no intelligence failure behind Wednesday’s serial blasts in Mumbai. The aim of the perpetrators of the crime was to derail the dialogue process between India and Pakistan,” Dr Abdullah said.

Speaking to reporters here today, he said there were ‘certain forces within the country’, which were hell-bent on creating tension between the two countries.

“There are forces both in Pakistan and in India, who do not want peace in the subcontinent. They always want to create a situation in which peace goes farther and farther,” he said.

Supporting his claim, he said even Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had made it clear that there was no intelligence failure behind the three blasts.

Raising questions about the timing of the blasts and the 26/11 Mumbai attack, he said both the attacks took place on the heels of the scheduled talks between the two countries.

“The blasts have been carried out as Pakistan Foreign Minister is arriving for talks. I pray and hope that both sides move forward,” Farooq said.

He said he was thankful to the Almighty that better sense had prevailed on the leadership of both the countries as they had decided to continue the dialogue process despite the blasts.

“This is a test of sincerity of both the countries to find a solution to their issues through talks and reach somewhere,” he said.

Farooq said it was the responsibility of both India and Pakistan to check terror activities and added that he would want that the neighbouring country should not allow its soil to be used for terror activities.

Srinagar, July 17
The Srinagar International Airport here lacks facilities to cope with a heavy rush of passengers.

Long queues of passengers,waiting to undergo security checks, can be seen outside the only entrance to the airport building.

“There is total chaos here. Though it is an international airport, the standard of facilities is poor. We had to first wait outside the main gate for screening. Then, we were asked to stand in a queue to get entry into the main airport building for security check and getting boarding passes,” said Ashok Kumar, a passenger.

Sources at the airport say because of long queues, many passengers miss their flights as the authorities and the security personnel fail to help them.

“Many passengers miss their flights even after reaching the airport on time,” they said.

The officials concerned and the airlines’ staff were not bothered about the problems being faced by the passengers.

“Not only male passengers, but also women, elderly people and children are made to stand in long queues at the airport,” the sources added.

“Nobody guides the passengers and they are not told about various queues. When a passenger reaches the gate, he is told that the queue in which he has been standing for several hours is for another airline,” said a passenger.

The Chairman of the Airport Authority of India (AAI), VP Agarwal, who was in Srinagar recently said the AAI was aware of the problems being faced by the passengers at the entrance to the airport. He said steps were being taken to improve the situation.

“We are operating 18 flights per day andare hopeful that thesecan be doubled in a year. We will do whatever needs to be done,” Agarwal said.

Besides four new X-ray machines, the international terminal would also be used during peak hours to ease the rush, he said.

RS Pura, July 17
Rice growers of the Jammu region are a worried lot these days. Though they are expecting a bumper crop this season, they apprehend that there will be no buyers for their crop as there is no agriculture marketing system in the state.

For the first time this year, the Agriculture Department had provided hybrid seeds to the farmers and they were expecting a bumper produce.

The sowing season is almost over and the farmers are concerned that they will have to sell their produce directly to mill owners or to the agents, who can deprive them of profit.

“We fear that our produce will not get the genuine price as there is no agriculture marketing system in the state and the state government does not lift the produce. If there is a bumper crop, the mill owners or agents will decrease the price and it will cause us a loss,” Balbir Singh of Dablehar village said, adding: “Before selling hybrid seeds to the farmers, the Agriculture Department should think of solutions to the problems arising due to lack of permanent markets in the state.”

“The Agriculture Minister and the Chief Minister talk about promoting the agriculture sector, but in reality, the things are not good. There is a lot of work to be done to uplift the agriculture sector and facilitate the farmers,” Gurmeet Singh, another farmer at Kullian village, said.

Tejinder Singh, president of the Progressive Farmers Association, stated: “Agriculture markets are the need of the hour and the state government should take immediate steps so that by the time the crop is ready, there is a well-planned agriculture marketing system.”

Repeated attempts to contact Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir failed.

Jammu, July 17
A human rights activist from Poonch district is living in fear these days. On repeated recommendations of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), the activist, Kamaljeet Singh, was given security cover by the police in 2008, but it was withdrawn more than a year ago.

Since the eruption of militancy in the state, Kamaljeet has filed more than 850 complaints about serious human rights violations with the commission, including cases of military abuse, extra-judicial killings, custodial deaths, torture, disappearance and forced labour by the security forces.

“The government has been adopting arm-twisting measures to silence my voice,” Kamaljeet said, and added, “In Jammu and Kashmir, there are so many repressive laws in force, which give unbridled powers to the security forces without any accountability. Because of the nature of my work in a conflict zone, I am receiving threats from not only militants, but also the security forces and intelligence agencies. I fear for my life.”

“Kamaljeet Singh has been taking a lot of interest in cases of human rights violations and helping the people,” observed former chairperson of the SHRC MY Kawoos.

Kawoos had recommended to the police to provide him security. “He feels insecure and is getting threats for highlighting the human rights violations.The SSP, Poonch, is directed to provide him security because the poor need him.”

In 2008, the acting chairperson of the SHRC, Habibullah Bhat, had also recommended to the SSP, Poonch, to provide security to Kamaljeet. “He is in pursuit of a noble job and has been feeling somewhat insecure. The district administration should take care of his personal security.”

“All over the world, human rights defenders are under constant threat from the security forces as well as non-state actors. They work under extremely difficult circumstances. The state government must look into this particular case seriously and ensure that all possible measures are taken to protect Kamaljeet,” said the general secretary, People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Pushkar Raaj, adding, “This will go a long way in instilling confidence among not only human rights activists, but also working journalists and members of the civil society, who are fighting for the protection of the basic human rights.”

SSP, Poonch, Ashkoor Ahmed Wani, said: “Militancy has almost ended in Poonch district.So, there is no security threat at all. His security was withdrawn more then a year ago as during the review, there was found to be no threat to him.”

Srinagar, July 17
Former Chief Minister and patron of the PDP Mufti Mohammed Sayeed has alleged that the coalition government has brought political chaos, rampant corruption, administrative anarchy and denial of human rights to the state without being able to make any positive contribution to the situation.

He was addressing a public meeting at Srigufwara in Anantnag yesterday.

The Mufti said the NC-led government had virtually abandoned its duty to the people of the state. It was not only the constituencies represented by the Opposition that the government was discriminating against in respect of development, but also the governance crisis was taking its toll on all areas and regions.

All major projects and schemes started by the previous coalition government had been shelved or had become a victim of inefficiency, red tape and corruption, he added.

The Mufti said the government had not been able to continue the momentum of development that the then government started in 2003.

He said all the large and small towns and cities could have been transformed with the provision of sewerage, drainage and other civic amenities had the state government been able to tap the unlimited resources available under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). But he regretted that the state had not been able to submit projects properly to the Centre.

The Mufti said similarly infrastructure building in the tourism sector, which had been started on a major scale, had almost completely stopped. He added the rural tourism scheme, which was started after 2003, could have generated thousands of jobs for the unemployed youth, but due to the inefficiency of the state government, the scheme had failed.

Jammu, July 17
Even as a faction of the state unit of the BJP has been exerting pressure on the high command to take action against six suspended MLAs, the newly appointed in-charge of state affairs Jagdish Mukhi today preferred to remain silent on the cross-voting episode and the fate of six party MLAs, who were suspended recently for allegedly indulging in cross voting. Addressing a press conference here after his appointment,Mukhi said he was collecting information about the episode. “It will be unwise on my part to speak on the issue without getting all the information”, Mukhi said.

“I have been given the charge (of Jammu and Kashmir BJP) right now. Let me gather the information from the horse's mouth on this issue,” he said. On whether there would be any reconciliatory move by the party to rope in the suspended MLAs, he said: “We will be able to tell you after hearing opinions of all.You are posing this question to an outsider who is new to the state”.

He, however, said he was open to suggestions of all the MLAs as well as the party workers and the common man.“I will comment on this issue only after getting all information”, he said. Giving the details about the forthcoming programme of the party, he said that from July 25 to August 25, a movement against corruption would be launched at the district level.

Srinagar, July 17
Gujjars in the state have urged the three-member team of interlocutors to recommend the issues of Gujjars and Bakerwals in their final report to be submitted to the Prime Minister soon.

The community today sought the help of the team to project an irreversible provision along with Constitutional guarantees for “reserved categories” while addressing the Jammu and Kashmir issue.

In a memorandum mailed through the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, a frontal organisation of the community, the Gujjars pleaded for the grant of social, cultural, economic and political empowerment of their tribe inhabiting the far- flung areas of the state.

“We have sought a favourable recommendation on political empowerment of the Gujjar community through extension of political reservations under Section 49 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir to the Scheduled Tribes similar to the Scheduled Castes,” he added.

Javaid Rahi, secretary of the foundation, said: “On behalf of the Gujjars and Bakerwals of the state, we have mailed a 10-page memorandum addressed to the interlocutors demanding powerful projection of our problems and plight in the last and final report on Jammu and Kashmir. We have also sought their recommendations on 10 major issues being faced by our tribe that constitutes more than 20% of the total population of the state.”

Bani (Kathua), July 17
The failure of the authorities to complete the Bani-Duggan road in the remote Bani tehsil of Kathua district reflects their causal approach towards the development of underdeveloped regions of the state.

The construction of the seven-km-long road was started 11 years ago with much publicity and it was announced that the project would be completed in two years. “Eleven years have passed, but there is a remote chance of the completion of the road in the next few years,” regretted MLA, Bani, Master Lal Chand.

The local administration has repeatedly urged the higher authorities to terminate the contract as the agency engaged in the construction of the road has failed to accelerate the pace of the wok, but no action has been taken so far.

“The delay in the completion of the road has not only compounded the problems of the people, but also increased the estimated cost of the project,” the MLA told The Tribune, and alleged that the project had been deliberately delayed to give undue benefits to those engaged in the construction of the road.

Since the Bani-Basholi track is the only all-weather road to connect the area with the rest of the state, the construction of the road was started in 2000 in order to provide an additional link by extending the road up to the Billawar tehsil.

“I am helpless. I have repeatedly taken up the issue at District Development Board meetings as well as in the Assembly, but to no avail,” the MLA said, and pointed out that the population of Bani remained cut off from the rest of the state for 22 days last month due to the blockade of the Bani-Basholi road.

Sources said after the failure of the executing agency to complete the road, the project was handed over to the Economic and Reconstruction Agency (ERA) five years ago. ERA then sub-let the project to a Delhi-based company which further sub-let the work to some local contractors.

When contacted, SDM, Bani, Rajinder Sharma admitted that the progress was slow. “We have written to the higher-ups to terminate the contract because the agency engaged in the construction of the road has failed to complete it in the stipulated time,” the SDM told The Tribune.

During the visit of Pradesh Congress Committee chief Saif-ud-Din Soz to the area in December last year, the locals had taken up the matter with him,but in vain.

Udhampur, July 17
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reiterated his government’s commitment to strengthen panchayats stating that self-governance was the answer to all the questions on the development front.

“The state government is committed to empower panchayats and make these effective democratic institutions to address development issues. The panchayats will, thus, act as agents of socio-economic change,” Omar said while addressing the newly elected panchayat members of the Banihal and Ramban Assembly constituencies.

The Chief Minister asked them to be prepared to shoulder the responsibility of public service with a missionary zeal. The empowerment of panchayats would not be restricted to rural development works, but it would also be in the services being provided in the social welfare, public health, engineering, communication, power supply, consumer affairs, education and other related sectors, he added.

Udhampur, July 17
A quiz competition was organised by the Army at Government Primary School, Dhalanu (Kukras), Doda district under Operation Sadbhavna.

The event received an overwhelming response from the students as it was the first such competition held in their school.

Kakaram, headmaster of the school, stated that in addition to the traditional curriculum, such competitive activity would help generate interest of the students in extracurricular activities and shape their personalities in a better way.

As per an Army spokesperson, six teams participated in the competition and the participants were quizzed on subjects ranging from geography and general knowledge to movies.

The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony. The winners included Mohammad Ibreff, Samrina Banu, Aasia Banu, Mohammad Sharif, Sahij Hussain, Zabina Banu, Tanvir Ahmed and Aasif Hussain.

Srinagar, July 17
Governor NN Vohra has emphasised the need for taking all the required measures for effective revival of reading habits and promotion of the best books on all the subjects and in all the languages.

The Governor was inaugurating a seven-day- long book exhibition, organised by the National Book Trust, India, in collaboration with the Urdu Akademi, Jammu and Kashmir, at SP College here.

The Governor stressed the need to promote Urdu and other languages.

Jammu, July 17
In its weekly theatre series, Sunday Theatre, Natrang today presented the Hindi adaptation of Balwant Gargi’s famous comedy, ‘Kabab Mein Haddi’. The play was directed by Neeraj Kant.

In the play, a character, Naseem, is in love with Jameela. Both are postgraduate students in a university. Jameela resides in a girls hostel while Naseem lives with his friend, Safdar, in a rented accommodation outside the campus.

Despite being in love, Naseem and Jameela hardly find any place to meet. Jameela’s hostel warden is very strict and does not allow her to move out while Naseem’s friend Safdar never leaves him alone.

The play portrays the yearning of the two lovers for each other despite interruptions. When they plan to meet on Friendship Day, they encounter the same hurdles again.

The moment they meet each other, Safdar makes an unwelcome entry and stays there throughout their outing. Both try to convince him that they can go on their own, but Safdar does not listen to them.

In fact, Safdar sincerely wants to help both of them, but his concern creates dramatic turns in the story. He makes an entry suddenly when he is not required.

The comedy was presented by the young actors of Natrang, including Rahul Singh as Naseem, Sunil Bhardwaj as Safdar and Sajra Qadir as Jameela. Neeraj Kant provided the lights. The show was coordinated by Mohammad Yaseen and Sumeet Sharma did the presentations.

On the occasion, Natrang director Balwant Thakur said Natrang was going to present a new children’s play, ‘Khichdi’, written and directed by Sumeet Sharma on July 20 at the Police Auditorium here.