The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Infiltration bids on the rise: Lt-Gen Nehra Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, September 19 A senior Army officer said today infiltration attempts in the state had increased in the past few months. Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a two-day national seminar on “Mapping Contemporary Pakistan” here, Lt-Gen JP Nehra, GOC of the 16 Corps, said the Indian troops were vigilant to deal with such attempts. “For the past one and a half months, infiltration attempts in the state have increased. But we are alert and vigilant,” he said. “Our LoC and border management is strong. Our troops and leaders are all motivated and ready to face any situation. Infiltration attempts increased recently, but we thwarted them successfully,” he said. “Training camps are intact on the other side of the LoC and militants are still getting arms training, but we will not allow them to succeed in their designs,” the GOC said. “It is a sense of desperation or other strategy,but we are not aware of it.However,we are vigilant and all their nefarious designs will be thwarted,” he said. Regarding the number of terror camps and militants across the LoC, Lt-Gen Nehra said the number kept on changing. According to the information given by intelligence agencies, 42 militant camps were still active, while 250 to 500 militants were waiting to infiltrate, he added. Asked whether the Army had recovered propaganda material like CDs in Rajouri district to engage the youth in militancy, he said, “We have not recovered any propaganda material from hideouts or from anywhere else,but we have recovered war-like stores”. However, he admitted that militants were trying to lure teenagers into militancy. On the e-mail reportedly sent by the Harkat-ul-Jihadi-al-Islami (HuJI) to some mediapersons after the Delhi blast, Nehra said once the investigation was complete, the truth would come out. The Army officer also denied reports of a recent attack by the Pakistan troops on an Indian forward post along the LoC in the Pallanwala sector to capture it.
	‘Pakistan a wounded tiger’ Tribune News Service Jammu, September 19 Noted analyst Prem Shankar Jha called Pakistan a lost state while the Commander of the White Knight Corps, Lt-Gen JP Nehra, dubbed the country as a wounded tiger vis-à-vis Kashmir.The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jammu, Prof Varun Sahni, felt that Pakistan, on the lines of India, should have used its forces to cleanse certain “no-go” areas immediately after Partition. These views were expressed at a two-day national seminar on “Mapping Contemporary Pakistan”, which began at the University of Jammu here today. Though the views of Jha and Sahni did evoke interest among the audience, it was Lt-Gen Nehra, who felt that Pakistan’s internal situation would make no difference to its policy on Kashmir and it continued to send militants to India. “Pakistan will remain contemporary for us for a while. Some of us still feel the pain of Partition because we were one country before 1947. Further,historically, geographically and culturally, there are strong linkages between the two countries.However, let us not be obsessed with Pakistan,” he said. Nehra described Pakistan as a wounded tiger in the wake of the defeat of its army at the hands of the Indian military in the past and its failure to annex Kashmir. “We are a far more powerful country and have to play our role in the international arena, but we need to understand Pakistan. It occupies a unique geo-strategic place in South Asia,” said Lt-Gen Nehra. He also made an interesting observation that despite being the “epicentre” of militancy, Pakistan was also a key ally of the US in its war on global terrorism. “Ostensibly, there is a civilian government, but the army calls the shots. Forces at loggerheads within Pakistan coexist miraculously,” Lt-Gen Nehra said, adding besides a pro and anti-US and anti-West pulse in the neighbouring country, an anti-India sentiment was being nurtured continuously over the years. Amid all the ills plaguing it, Pakistan had also suffered the ignominy of defeat several times at the hands of India and it was like a wounded tiger, he said. The image of the Pakistan army had taken a beating post-Osama killing. “With over six lakh serving and five lakh reserve troops, the Pakistan army is still a force to reckon with. And, when it comes to their army, there is ISI also. It is just like a state within a state,” he added. “They (ISI) are the ones involved in planning terror attacks, breeding terrorists and funnelling funds to promote militancy, and not to forget, that, too, in a nuke state,” Lt-Gen Nehra said. In this context, he referred to Pakistan’s defence budget. On Pakistan’s growing ties with China, Lt-Gen Nehra referred to the recent statements of Chinese leaders, who had described their relations with Pakistan as “higher than mountains and deeper than oceans”.
	Geelani not stopped from meeting relatives: Police Ehsan Fazili Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 19 While the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference has expressed concern about the continued house arrest of its chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the police here today refuted the charge, saying the Hurriyat leader was “never stopped from meeting his relatives and friends”. An executive committee meeting of the Geelani faction held here today expressed concern about the human rights violations in the state and the continued house arrest of its chairman. The meeting described as unjustified Geelani’s continued confinement to his Hyderpora residence.He was also put under house arrest for 141 days during the summer last year. The same was happening this year, the meeting observed.
	Shed path of confrontation to resolve Kashmir issue: PoK ex-PM Srinagar, September 19 India and Pakistan should carry forward the positive change in their relations and shed the confrontationist and military approach to settle issues between them, says a senior politician of PoK. "There has been a positive change in the relations between India and Pakistan and efforts should be made to carry it forward. The focus should be on the resolution of issues, including Kashmir,"a former Prime Minister of PoK, Sultan Mehmood Chaudhury, said here today. Chaudhury, the first prominent politician from PoK to visit the state in the last 60 years,said the confrontationist attitude and the military approach had failed to resolve the Kashmir issue in the past 64 years and would not yield any results in future. Appreciating the Indian response to the recent blasts as "mature", he, however, said the statements about the existence of training camps and militants in PoK was a diversionary tactic. "India and Pakistan have to engage in a dialogue for resolving the Kashmir issue, but the leadership on both sides of the LoC has to be involved in finding a lasting solution," Chaudhury, who is here to attend a wedding,said. He said the people on either side of the LoC were the "real sufferers" of the conflict.”We are a flexible people. We should be allowed to interact frequently. May be, we will come up with a solution that does not strengthen the status quo and is also acceptable to all the three parties to the dispute," the former PoK premier said and added a conducive atmosphere was needed for the dialogue to succeed. Lauding the Government of India for allowing him to visit Kashmir, Chaudhury said: "It is a small confidence-building measure. However, it can be followed up by allowing more leaders from both sides of Kashmir to interact .— PTI
	Social Welfare Dept’s role vital in improving lot of poor: Omar Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 19 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has underlined the role of the Social Welfare Department in solving the problems of the poor and the needy. Reviewing the progress of the department’s flagship programmes at a meeting here today, the Chief Minister said the success of such schemes depended on ensuring that the poor benefited from them. Omar said measures aimed at improving the social conditions of those living below poverty line needed to be implemented with commitment. The meeting was attended by Sakina Itoo, Minister for Social Welfare, Ajaz Ahmad Khan, Minister of State for Social Welfare, Mubarak Gul, Adviser to the Chief Minister, and senior officers of the Social Welfare Department. The Chief Minister was briefed about the progress made under the National Social Assistance Programme, the Integrated Child Development Services, the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension, the National Widow Pension and Disability Pension and the National Family Benefit Schemes under implementation in the state with the Centre’s assistance. Underscoring the importance of the flagship programmes in bringing about a healthy change in the conditions of the poor and the needy, the Chief Minister highlighted the role of panchayats in the implementation and monitoring of the schemes. The Chief Minister asked the department to involve the panchayats actively in the implementation of the programmes. Speaking at the meeting, Sakina Itoo pointed out certain areas that required additional financial support for achieving various targets.
	Soz welcomes Mirwaiz’s concern about corruption Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 19 State PCC chief Saifuddin Soz has welcomed the concern shown by moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq about the menace of corruption in the state. “I heartily welcome the concern shown by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq regarding the growing menace of corruption in the state,” Soz said in a statement here today. He appreciated the fact that the Mirwaiz had certain measures in his mind to organise a campaign against corruption. Soz urged the Mirwaiz to devote a Friday sermon to highlight the need to root out corruption and to ensure the safety and respect of journalists and RTI activists. “It is so tragic that while the majority wants to lead a simple and dignified life, the corrupt elements are on the prowl to make the lives of the common man miserable,” Soz added.
	PDP road map can address all dimensions of Kashmir issue: Mufti Tribune News Service Jammu, September 19 Reiterating the resolve of his party to meet the aspirations of all the regions and sub-regions of the state, former Chief Minister and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed yesterday said the road map prepared by his party was the only viable solution to the Kashmir issue. Addressing a public meeting in the Sarore area, he said the PDP’s self-rule document,which had the potential to solve both the external and internal dimensions of the Kashmir issue,was prepared by fulfilling the wishes of all stakeholders. “Power is not my aim. My desire is to make Jammu and Kashmir an island of peace with the support and cooperation of the people,” the former Chief Minister said and called upon the political leadership of the country to take the peace and reconciliation process to its logical end. “The then PDP-Congress regime had initiated the peace process, which ultimately brought a positive change in the region,” he said and added that it was due to the reconciliation process started by the previous coalition regime that peace was restored from Kathua to Kargil and a sense of security developed among the people. The PDP patron, while speaking about the road map prepared by his party, said the self-rule document encompassed practical proposals for the resolution of the political, economic, internal and external dimensions of the Kashmir issue that could constitute the fundamentals of a comprehensive resolution package in tune with global and ground realities. He said the proposal offered an inclusive solution that not only adequately accommodated the just concerns of all the regions and sub-regions of the state, but also those of India and Pakistan. The former Chief Minister said the NC had failed to give powers to the panchayats. “Four months have passed since the elections were held, but the government has not taken any steps to empower the panchayats.” Sardar Rangil Singh, Trilok Singh Bajwa, Thakur Balbir Singh and others also addressed the meeting, which was organised by Som Nath, who joined the PDP recently. Som Nath is a nephew of former Haryana Governor Babu Parmanand.
	CPM for relief to farmers Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 19 CPM state secretary and MLA, Kulgam, MY Tarigami, has sought a survey by the departments concerned to study paddy blight that has affected the crop in the Valley. In a statement issued here, Tarigami urged the government to study the crop disease and compensate the farmers whose crops had been damaged by it. “Had the government introduced the crop insurance scheme in the state, such eventualities could have been managed effectively,” he said. He also demanded relief for the flood-affected people of Tral and Kupwara. He said both crops and properties had suffered damages in the areas due to the sudden flash floods. The fruit and other crops, which were damaged due to the deluge, called for immediate attention by the government he said. The CPM state secretary urged the government to regulate the transportation of fruits to outside markets.
	Repair work on old Tawi bridge begins Archit Watts Tribune News Service Jammu, September 19 The repair work on the old Tawi bridge at Bikram Chowk on the BC road, which connects the new city with the old, started today. Claiming that the recent rain had badly damaged the RCC slab of the bridge, AN Kundal, XEN, Roads and Buildings Department, said the repair work was necessary for the safety of the bridge, which was built in 1980s. “Any further damage to the upper slab of the bridge could damage the main slabs. Hence, it was necessary to repair it immediately,” said Kundal, adding, “It will take nearly 45 days to complete the repair work and our priority is to finish it before the Darbar move.” He said the work would cost Rs 50 lakh.Asked whether the department was making any alternative arrangements for commuters, Kundal said, “ The people will face problems while commuting during the next few days, but we have made diversions at some places with the help of the Traffic police, which will be helpful to some extent.” He added, “So far, just one tube of the bridge has been closed and the other one connecting Bikram Chowk to Dogra Chowk has been kept open. Once the repair work on this tube is finished, the other one will be taken up for repair.” “We have to first dismantle the old RCC slab and then make a fresh slab. Thereafter, the re-carpeting of the road will be done so that the entire process can be completed before 45 days,” Kundal maintained. SK Suri, a private contractor, who has been assigned the work of dismantling the old RCC slab, said, “The department has taken the right decision to repair the bridge, as more rain can damage its main slab. If the main slab is damaged, the bridge will have to be dismantled.” “The bridge has completed about 30 years and it is necessary to carry out the repairs to enhance its life,” added Suri. Meanwhile, long queues of vehicles were witnessed on the BC road, as most of the commuters were not aware about the closure of the bridge. Throughout the day, the commuters were caught in jams. Only two or three policemen were present at the bridge to manage the traffic. Rakesh Kumar, an advocate, who was going from Gandhi Nagar to the Jammu and Kashmir High Court at Janipur, said, “Earlier, it took nearly 15 minutes to reach the court, but now it will take about 30-40 minutes due to the repair work on the bridge. The authorities concerned should have informed the people in advance to avoid inconvenience to them.”
	Iqbal’s poetry has universal appeal: Scholars Tribune News Service Jammu, September 19 Allama Iqbal was not only a poet par excellence but also a philosopher, who projected human values through his poetry and gave a message of love and brotherhood to the world, irrespective of caste, colour and creed. To confine Iqbal to a particular religion will be unfair. These views were expressed by scholars on Iqbal’s work at a day-long seminar organised by the Department of Urdu, University of Jammu, at the Prof Gain Chand Jain Seminar Hall here today. The topic of the seminar was “Iqbal’s Thought and Philosophy -- Its Relevance in Present Era”. It was presided over by Prof Archana Kesar, Dean, Faculty of Arts, while Prof Bashir Ahmed Nahvi, Director, Iqbal Institute of Culture and Philosophy, Kashmir University, Dr Zia-Ur-Rehman, Associate Professor, Urdu Centre, Solan in Himachal Pradesh, Khalid Hussain, a noted short story writer, and Anand Leher, a senior advocate, were the resource persons. Prof Nahvi said in his early poetry, Iqbal was impressed by Lord Rama, Guru Nanak and other Indian personalities. Iqbal was also impressed by the great Indian culture and civilisation. He said when Iqbal went to Europe for higher education he had several meetings with Bergasan. “Iqbal was also impressed by some European philosophers. His poetry is universal, having human values. In the present era, Iqbal’s poetry has a great significance,” added Prof Nahvi. Dr Zia-Ur-Rehman said, “He was not a poet of Muslims alone and had written for the entire world. His song, “Sare Jahan Se Achcha Hindustan Hamara”, is an example of his love for India.” Advocate Leher described Iqbal as a poet and philosopher, who gave the message of love and communal harmony to the world. In his presidential address, Prof Kesar said a large number of books had been written on Iqbal’s poetry. “This shows how great a poet he was. Iqbal’s message of peace is needed to be spread throughout the world,” he said. Earlier, the Head of Urdu Department, Prof Shohab Inayat Malik, demanded the setting up of an Iqbal Chair in the university. He said, “Late Jagan Nath Azad had authored several books on Iqbal at a time when after Partition there was a lot of resentment against his poetry in India. Iqbal is not a poet of Pakistan but a poet of the whole world.”
	Four shops destroyed in RS Pura fire Tribune News Service Jammu,September 19 Four shops of a businessman were gutted in a fire at Chindar in the Miran Sahib area of RS Pura subdivision today. The cause of the fire was not known. The police said the fire broke out in the shops of Bishan Dass early in the morning.The Fire Brigade controlled the flames. “The fire engulfed the hardware, electrical appliances, grocery and cosmetics shops, besides causing a damage to the house of Bishan Dass,” the police said. Neighbours said the shop owner and his family were not present at the time of the incident. Meanwhile, the police has started investigations.