Jammu, August 7
Charging the authorities with cheating them, farmers from Bani tehsil of Kathua district, who were displaced by the Sewa-II hydroelectric project have decided to intensify their agitation to get their long-pending demands fulfilled.

The farmers alleged that all promises made to them while acquiring hundreds of kanals of their agriculture land in 2004 for the construction of the 120 MW Sewa Hydroelectric Project were yet to be fulfilled and the authorities were not ready to properly rehabilitate the displaced families.

The project was commissioned in September 2010.

“Although compensation was given to the farmers whose land was acquired , nothing was done to rehabilitate the displaced families,” said Sunil Kumar, sarpanch of the Gatti Panchayat, where the maximum number of farmers were affected and displaced due to the construction of the dam.

At the time of acquiring the land, the authorities had made a number of commitments, but most of them remained on paper only, the sarpanch told The Tribune and disclosed a meeting of all the affected farmers was held on Friday in which it was decided to approach the farmers of the adjoining localities to make it a mass movement in the mountainous belt.

Des Raj of Gatti village, whose whole agriculture land was submerged, said the authorities had promised employment to at least one person of the displaced family, but nothing had been done so far.

“We are fighting for the better rehabilitation and the ongoing fight would be intensified,” he asserted. He added that, “The farmers who were growing fruits on their land are now working as labourers in the neigbouring Himachal Pradesh to earn their livelihood as the authorities cheated them.”

Rajinder Sharma, a resident of Bani, said except exploiting the poor villagers nothing had been done. He said while acquiring their land, the authorities concerned had promised that free electricity would be supplied to areas in five- km-radius of the project. “This promise also remained on paper. The power from this project is being supplied to Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Chandigarh, besides other parts of Jammu and Kashmir, but the locals are not getting power from this project,” he said.

SDM, Bani, Rajinder Sharma said under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the state government with the National Hydel Power Corporation (NHPC), which constructed and maintained the project, preference would be given only to the locals as unskilled labourers. “Nothing has been mentioned in the MoU regarding the employment to locals in the project,” the SDM told The Tribune.

“As far other demands of the villagers we have already taken up the issue with the NHPC,” he said and pointed out that the dam was located at Gatti and Sarthali villages, which came under Bani tehsil while the power house was situated at Maska, which was located in Basholi tehsil. “The NHPC authorities give priority to the area adjoining the power house, but the people of the villages where dam is constructed also demand the same facilities,” he said.

Jammu, August 7
Challenging the authority of the BJP high command, four suspended party MLAs today reposed faith in the leadership of veteran leader Chaman Lal Gupta, who was expelled on May 31 after the cross-voting episode.

The suspended legislators, while asking the high command to take a quick decision on their suspension, asserted that whatever decision the leadership might take on their future, they would continue to work under the guidance of Gupta.

Addressing a joint press conference here, the four suspended BJP MLAs, namely Garu Ram, Jagdish Raj Sapolia, Durga Dass and Bharat Bhushan, said even after nearly four months, the high command had failed to give any substantial proof to establish their role in the cross-voting episode.

“We were placed under suspension on April 20, but no decision on our suspension has been taken so far,” Sapolia said.

“We were suspended on a charge of cross-voting, motivated by monetary considerations. The charge is defamatory and undermines the very foundation of our democracy. Therefore, the party high command should take a quick decision on the charge levelled against us,” he said.

Reposing faith in the leadership of expelled party legislator Chaman Lal Gupta, Sapolia said, “With one voice and without any iota of differences, we declare that Gupta is our leader in the Legislative Assembly. We have contested the Assembly elections under his guidance and shall continue to work under his leadership,” he added. On the absence of two suspended MLAs at today’s media interaction, Sapolia said they could not come due to preoccupation.

Reiterating their allegations that biased parameters were adopted in identifying those who were involved in cross-voting, Sapolia alleged that the team constituted by the high command to conduct an inquiry recorded only selective statements to target Gupta and his supporters.

Sapolia also targeted chief whip of the party Ashok Khajuria for his “dubious” role in the episode. 

Srinagar, August 7
While normalcy returned to other parts of the Kashmir valley today after two days, the police resorted to a baton charge and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse stone throwing demonstrators in Nowhatta this afternoon.

The trouble started following the arrest of a person in connection with the clashes that took place at several places in the area since Friday prayers.

Protesting against the arrest, youths indulged in stone throwing on Nowhatta police station. The area had earlier witnessed demonstrations against the continued house arrest of Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. All the shops and business establishments in the area were closed after the reports of the clashes.

The Mirwaiz, according to a spokesman of the Hurriyat Conference, continued to be under house arrest today also, thereby preventing him from delivering special sermons in connection with the holy month of Ramzan. The Mirwaiz,who was scheduled to address a congregation after the prayers in the Rainawari area today,condemned the restrictions on his movement,saying it was an interference in his religious affairs, particularly during the auspicious month of Ramzan.

Meanwhile, the hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, who also continues to be under house arrest at his Hyderpora residence for nearly two weeks,has condemned the police action in Nowhatta. In a statement, Geelani alleged that the youth in parts of the Valley in general and the downtown area in particular were being harassed and targeted without any reason. Geelani also called for a general strike on Independence Day and asked the people to observe it as a “black day”.

Jammu, August 7
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, connecting the state with the rest of the country, was closed to traffic today due to a landslide, triggered by heavy rain in Ramban district.The highway was closed after the landslide at Digdol and falling of boulders at Panthal in Ramban district in the morning, the police said.

The landslide was triggered by continuous rain, it said, adding the downpour was creating problems in clearing roads.

Over 500 vehicles were stranded at various places in the Udhampur, Nagrota, Ramban, Patnitop, Banihal and Batote areas of the highway.

Amarnath yatra convoys, heading to the Pahalgam and Baltal base camps,were likely to be halted at Ramban due to the closure of the road, the police added. — PTI

Jammu, August 7
Three persons, including two sadhus, were rescued from a flash flood in the Tawi river in Jammu today and efforts were being made to rescue four others,officials said here.

The two sadhus and a mentally challenged person were caught in the flash flood in the river, they said, adding the police and locals rushed to the spot and rescued them.

Srinagar, August 7
With Chhari Mubarak or the holy mace of Lord Shiva starting its journey to the holy Amarnath cave shrine tomorrow, the annual yatra will enter the final phase before it concludes on the occasion of Shravan Poornima on August 13.

The yatra began on June 29 this year and so far a record number of over 6.3 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the shrine.

The pilgrimage has been going on smoothly on both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes. A majority of the pilgrims have been taking the traditional route via Pahalgam, which involves a trek of 32 km from Chandanwari via Sheshnag and Panjtarni to Amarnath. The 16-km-long road from Pahalgam to Chandanwari is motorable. A number of pilgrims have also been taking the short route of 14 km via Baltal.

Chhari Mubarak, which will be led by Mahant Deepender Giri, will begin its journey to the holy cave shrine from its resting place, Dashnami Akhara, in Srinagar tomorrow and will have a night halt at Pahalgam. On the way to Pahalgam, prayers will be offered at Sureshwar Temple, Sonawar, Srinagar, Shiv Temple, Pampore, Shiv Temple at Bijbehara, Martand-Tirth in Mattan and Ganesh Temple across the Lidder river.

After the night halt at Pahalgam, prayers will be offered on Tuesday, while the holy mace will be taken from there to Chandanwari. After a night halt each at Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panjtarni, Chhari Mubarak will reach the cave shrine on the morning of August 13 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan for special prayers. It will start its return journey in the evening and reach its resting place at Dashnami Akhara here on August 15 evening. 

Jammu, August 7
The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Jammu, MS Parihar, yesterday rejected the bail application of Purvinder Pal Singh, accused of killing Sikander Kumar (15) due of rash, negligent and careless driving on July 16 this year.

On July 16, while going from Badgal to Sohal, the accused knocked down Sikander, who was walking on the roadside,injuring him seriously.Sikander later succumbed to his injuries.

The father of the deceased appeared in court and levelled serious allegations against the accused. He alleged that his only son was intentionally killed by the accused and did not died due to rash and negligent driving.

The police registered a case under Sections 304-A/279/337 of the RPC and arrested the accused on July 20.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate, while going through the police report, rejected the bail application of the accused, observing that, “In this case, the police has not yet recorded the statement of the father of the deceased, who is alleging that his only son has been intentionally killed by the accused and has not died due to rash and negligent driving of the accused, as alleged in the police report.”

He added that, “The accused, as is evident from the perusal of the case dairy, after hitting the deceased fled the scene. So, the allegations against the accused are serious in nature and keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, the court is of the view that the accused is not entitled to bail at this stage.” 

Srinagar, August 7
Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo has said the coalition government is determined to extend the benefits of various development and welfare schemes to the youth so that their standard of living can improve and prosperity is assured in all the three regions of the state.

She said road, drinking water, electricity, education and other projects of vital importance were under execution and many others had been completed.

Addressing a public meeting in the Qazigund area of south Kashmir, the minister said the government could not provide jobs to all educated persons and asked them to adopt the Sher-i- Kashmir Employment and Welfare Scheme for setting up their own income-generating units.

Jammu, August 7
The NC today urged the state government to take up new tourism circuits to create job avenues for the unemployed youth of the state.

Addressing a one-day meeting of the block committee of Gandhi Nagar, provincial president of the NC Rattan Lal Gupta highlighted the achievements of the coalition government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

He said the coalition government had given priority to long-term and short-term projects in the power sector to meet the demand and to create more avenues for the educated unemployed youth of the state.

He suggested that the government should take up new tourism circuits to develop Pingla Mata, Kailash Kund, Machail Mata, Chuntra Mata, Sarthal Devi Mata, Sukarala Mata and Javda Wali Mata to attract pilgrims towards the religious spots.

He demanded more thrust on tourism spots en route Mugal Road namely Nouri Chamb and Peer Ki Gali to develop the areas as tourist destinations. Gupta called upon the party workers to prepare themselves for the forthcoming civic bodies elections in their respective areas.

Those who addressed the meeting included Aslam Goni, Laxmi Dutta, Bimla Luthra, Jugal Mahajan, Ayub Khan, Chander Mohan Sharma, Rajesh Bakshi, Sanjay Gupta, SS Bunty, SS Jamwal and Manveer Kour.

Srinagar, August 7
The All-Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) has taken strong exception to the delay in filling vacant posts in the Punjabi stream at the 10 plus two level in various schools in the Kashmir valley.

In a statement issued here today, the APSCC chairman, Jagmohan Singh Raina, said despite assurances from the Education Minister some time ago, the posts of Punjabi teacher had not been filled so far.

“The posts are lying vacant at Amira Kadal Girls Higher Secondary School, SP Higher Secondary School, Achabal School, Anantnag Boys Higher Secondary School, Tral Higher Secondary School and several other schools,” Raina stated.

Raina said the students had no option, but to opt for other subjects instead of Punjabi, which showed that the government wanted the language to die in the Valley.

“Although Punjabi is recognised by the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir and is the oldest language of the state, some vested interests want this language to die a slow death,” he stated.

The promotion lists for other subjects were released at regular intervals, but there was no such promotion for 10 plus two lecturers in the Punjabi Department, which showed the indifferent attitude of the state government, the APSCC chairman added.

Srinagar, August 7
There has been a spurt in attempts by militants to infiltrate into Kashmir ahead of the winter with the Army foiling nearly 12 such bids on the Line of Control (LoC) in less than a fortnight.

Two such attempts were made last night in the Machill sector of Kupwara. "The attempts were foiled. There were no casualties," Srinagar-based defence spokesman Lt- Col JS Brar told PTI.

The increase came in the backdrop of the Kashmir valley remaining relatively peaceful this summer,he said.

Militants had attempted to cross the LoC almost every day since July 27 when Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar visited India for talks with her counterpart, SM Krishna.

Brar said none of the attempts was successful, but the Army lost five personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer, while five militants were killed in the fierce gunbattles.

The infiltration attempts from across the LoC started picking up soon after the Lashkar-e-Toiba, the Jaish-e-Mohammad and the Hizbul Mujahideen suffered major setbacks at the hands of the security forces, losing some of their top commanders.

Four top militants of the Lashkar were killed in a single operation in the Lolab area of Kupwara district on July 15. Earlier, a militant commander in south Kashmir, Shabir Ahmad alias Balle Balle, was eliminated in a gunbattle by the security forces.

The first major infiltration bid was in the Hyhama area of frontier Kupwara district on July 27 in which a Junior Commissioned Officer was killed while two other jawans were injured.The Army, however, had said the attempt was foiled.

"As per our input, there has been no successful infiltration attempt so far," the defence spokesman said.

He said the surge in the infiltration attempts suggested that the militants were desperate to sneak into this side.

"The infiltration has picked up since July.Until June, we had ensured there was no infiltration attempt and this led to desperation on their part. Now that the winter is approaching, they are making all the attempts to try to come in," Brar said.

Militants usually attempted to infiltrate, or exfiltrate, in the summer when the snow melted over the mountains which were used by the militants to cross over.

Most of the infiltration attempts this summer had taken place in north Kashmir's Kupwara district.

Until June, the security agencies reported there was "zero infiltration" from across the LoC.

Srinagar, August 7
At least three militants of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) were killed in an ongoing encounter with the security forces in the Handwara area of Kupwara district today.

Acting on specific information about the presence of militants, the police and the 7 Rashtriya Rifles had launched a search operation in the Wudder-Wudder Payeen area of Handwara on August 1.

So far, three militants of the LeT had been killed in the encounter, a police spokesman said, quoting the DIG,North Kashmir Range. The slain militants were identified as Dujanna, Darda and Fahadullah, the police said.

Fahadullah was wanted by the police for his involvement in a number of militancy-related incidents.

A cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered from the encounter site, the police said. Till reports last came in, a search operation was in progress in the area.

Jammu, August 7
The Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD), Shabir Ahmad Khan, directed the authorities to keep a close watch on black marketing and undue profiteering at all the markets here today.

During an interaction with the deputations of Bhatindi, Gujjar Nagar, Ustad Mohalla and Tallab Khatikan, the minister was apprised that shopkeepers of the areas charged undue profit while selling essential commodities to the people, especially during Ramzan, and the CAPD authorities did not pay heed to their complaints. Khan said providing essential commodities and other domestic items at controlled rates were also the prime duty of the government.

The minister, while expressing displeasure over the poor performance of the CAPD authorities in controlling the rates of several edible items, especially during Ramzan, said stringent action would be taken against black marketeers.

The minister issued instructions to the Directors of the CAPD Department of both Jammu and Kashmir provinces to activate market-checking squads to keep a close vigil on black marketing.

The minister also called upon the functionaries of the CAPD to be punctual, so that consumers should not face any inconvenience while getting ration at the sale outlets. “No official will be spared if found absent during the duty hours,” he said. “The shortage of ration at any sale outlet, especially during Ramzan, will not be tolerated,” he added. — TNS

Jammu, August 7
The Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services and Sports, RS Chib, convened a meeting of sarpanches and panches of RS Pura to enquire about the grievances of the people of the area.

The issues discussed at the meeting included provision for better power supply and augmentation of irrigation facilities, besides matters related to health and education.

Shenaz Goni, chief engineer, Power Development Department, Ashwani Khajuria, SDM, RS Pura and other senior officials of the departments concerned attended the meeting.

The minister was apprised by various panchayat heads about the problems and demands of their respective areas. They demanded uninterrupted power supply, replacement of old poles and transformers, replacement of conductors, installation of electric metres in RS Pura and adjoining areas, augmentation of irrigation facilities, sanctioning of new tube-wells and construction of already sanctioned ones.

Responding to the demands, Chib said various schemes were being implemented for the improvement of transmission and distribution network by upgrading the existing infrastructure and replacing old poles and conductors.

He said electronic metres were being installed to check power and revenue pilferage, which would streamline the supply of power to the consumers. 

Jammu, August 7
“Aurat”, a famous streetplay by noted playwright, Safdar Hashmi, directed by Neeraj Kant, was presented here today at the Natrang Studio Theatre at its weekly programme, Sunday Theatre.

The play is woven around a number of women, each representing a country girl, a housewife, an illiterate woman and an educated girl. The play throws light on various problems confronted by the fair sex and the crimes against them.

Despite having constitutional guarantees of equality, the play advocates that women are still subjected to injustice everywhere.

The play opens with a story of a girl, who is willing to read and write in an illiterate family. Her father makes her drop out of school because he does not want to educate her. He does this not because he cannot afford her studies, but he thinks girls should not study further.

On the other hand, her brother is being educated properly. She has to bear humiliation. Opportunities of becoming a good citizen are snatched from her and she is married in her early teens. Her husband, a labourer, is a drunkard. He and his mother torture the girl mentally as well as physically. At 20, she is a mother of four.

The second part of the story shows a girl, who is educated up to the pre-college standard. The girl comes from a poor family and has struggled a lot in achieving her present standard. Still she has to face discrimination in getting admission to a college. She has to face eve-teasing and other malpractices in buses and on streets.

The artists who participated in the play included Rahul Singh, Sajra Qadir, Rajni Bhatti, Sakshi Prakash, Sachin Saini, Ajay Singh, Uplaksh Singh, Syed Fardeen and Vinay Manhas. Lights were executed by Neeraj Kant. The presentations were done by Sumeet Sharma. Mohammad Yaseen coordinated the show.