The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Assembly Session PDP stages walkout over unmarked graves issue Ehsan Fazili & Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 27 The PDP today staged a walkout from the Legislative Assembly after Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone rejected an adjournment motion moved by it for a discussion on the issues of unmarked graves and delay in probing the killings that took place during the summer unrest last year. As soon as the Assembly began the day’s proceedings, the PDP legislators, led by party president Mehbooba Mufti, were on their feet demanding that the Speaker allow the adjournment motion. “Let us send a message that we are serious about these issues by putting other issues like water, electricity and roads aside today,” Mehbooba told the Speaker. PDP member Abdul Rehman Veeri also sought the attention of the Speaker to the issue of unmarked graves. However, Lone said a similar motion moved by NC legislators Mir Saifullah, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi and Aijaz Ahmad Jan was listed on the business of the House for discussion today. He urged the PDP legislators to allow Question Hour to be conducted. But the relentless PDP members said the issue of unmarked graves was of urgent nature and should be taken up before other business. “It is a matter of shame that the issue has not been discussed in our Parliament while it has been debated by the British Parliament,” Mehbooba said. Heated exchanges took place between the legislators of the NC and the PDP on whether the adjournment motion should be allowed. As the time fixed for Question Hour came to an end, the Speaker announced that he had rejected the adjournment motion. “I cannot allow this adjournment. I reject it,” Lone said. The Speaker’s repeated pleas failed to convince the PDP legislators, who staged a walkout from the House and boycotted its proceeding for the remaining period during which a discussion was held on the issue. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while speaking during the discussion, criticised the PDP for not participating in it and trying to score political points over the issue. Those who participated in the discussion were Mir Saifullah, Ashok Kumar, Aijaz Ahmad Jan, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, Sharief Niaz, Kafeel-ur-Rehman, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, Harsh Dev Singh (Panthers Party) and Ashok Khajuria (BJP). Initiating the discussion, Saifullah sought a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue so that such incidents did not recur. He also stressed the need for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for unravelling the truth. Meanwhile, Patron of the PDP and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beigh were present in the House today. The PDP legislators also created an uproar in the Legislative Council after the acting Chairman, Arvinder Singh Micky, rejected an adjournment motion moved by them seeking a special discussion on the issue of unmarked graves by suspending other business. All the four PDP members stormed into the well of the House and later staged a walkout. As soon as the House assembled this morning, PDP legislator Murtaza Ahmed Khan stood up from his seat and demanded the suspension of all the business to hold a special discussion on the issue of unmarked graves “Question Hour is more important and there is more important business listed in the House,” Micky replied and directed Murtaza to sit down.
	Legislative Council Elections Govt to amend Representation of Peoples’ Act to check cross-voting Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 27 Facing criticism for allegedly encouraging cross-voting during the Legislative Council elections held on April 13, the state government has decided to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Representation of Peoples’ Act, 1957, to bring transparency in the election process. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar tabled a Bill in this regard in the Legislative Assembly here today. While tabling the Bill, the minister said according to the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Representation of Peoples’ Act, the secrecy of votes was required to be maintained during the Legislative Council elections. “A trend has been observed that the legislators are not following their partys’ discipline or whip,” the minister said, adding, “Such a practice brings disrespect to the system of election process and the parliamentary system of governance.” “The Bill seeks to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Representation of Peoples’ Act, 1957, to hold the elections of the Legislative Council by open ballot to strengthen the parliamentary system of governance in the state and bring transparency in the election process,” he stated. In the Bill, proposals have been made to amend sections 69, 102 and 135 of the Act. According to the Bill, Section 69 of the Act would be amended to insert a provision that polling at every election to fill a seat or seats in the Legislative Council shall be done by open ballot. In the April 13 Legislative Council elections, seven BJP MLAs had allegedly violated the party whip and voted in favour of the NC and the Congress candidates. After the cross-voting episode, various political parties were demanding that the Legislative Council elections be held through open ballot to avoid the recurrence of the incident. The government also moved another Bill in the House today to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Standards of Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act of 1997. While tabling the Bill, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Qamar Ali Akhoon said in year 2009, Parliament had enacted a new law called the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, to establish and enforce the standards of weights and measures to regulate the trade and commerce in weights, measures and other goods. Due to the special status of the state, the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, was not completely applicable to the state. “The state government has, therefore, decided to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Standards of Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act, 1997, to bring it in conformity with the Central Act,” the minister said.
	Clemency for Afzal Pro-Jammu parties not to allow tabling of resolution Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 27 The pro-Jammu parties led by the BJP and supported by some Congress legislators are ready for a showdown with the state government in the Legislative Assembly tomorrow for allowing a discussion on a resolution seeking clemency for Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. As the much-publicised resolution is listed for discussion tomorrow, the Assembly is likely to witness noisy scenes as the legislators of these parties have decided not to allow the tabling of the resolution. A meeting of the BJP, the Panthers Party and the Jammu State Morcha (JSM) was held this evening to devise a strategy on the issue. Interestingly, some suspended BJP MLAs and a few legislators of the Congress were also present at the meeting. It was unanimously decided that they would not allow the tabling of the resolution at any cost and thwart the attempt of the government to hold a debate on it. Sources said some Congress MLAs had also decided to support the BJP and the Panthers Party in opposing the resolution to bail the party out of the controversy. As the Congress high command was yet to take a decision on the resolution, some Jammu-based Congress leaders had offered to support the BJP on the issue. “Forget opposing the resolution during a debate, we will not allow it to be tabled in the House,” BJP leader in the Legislative Assembly Jugal Kishore Sharma told The Tribune after the meeting. He hinted that legislators of all “nationalist” parties would oppose the move of the government to table the resolution. Panthers Party MLA and former Education Minister Harsh Dev Singh said they would go to any extent to oppose the resolution in the Assembly. “We have decided to oppose the admission of the resolution in the Assembly, which is beyond its competence, as the matter is pending before the President,” he said. “The decision on Afzal’s mercy petition has to be taken by the President and hence the state Assembly has no right to discuss the issue,” Harsh Dev argued, adding the Assembly had no legislative competence either to adopt a Bill or pass any resolution on the issue.
	Need to give more powers to panchayats: Rahul Gandhi Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, September 27 After striking a chord with the youth in Kashmir yesterday, AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi here today favoured the empowerment of the panchayats in the state on the lines of the Central Panchayati Raj Act. He was in Jammu during the last leg of the two-day visit to the state. Rahul, who arrived here from Srinagar this morning, said the newly-elected sarpanches and panches should be given more responsibilities and powers. Addressing the sarpanches and the panches at the Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust here this afternoon, he said if the country had to progress, powers had to percolate down to the grass-roots level. “All of you have come through elections and since you are elected representatives, every possible help will be given to you,” Rahul said. He added the UPA government at the Centre was always ready to provide every possible help to the state to ensure its all round development. “It is your government at the Centre, which is always ready to extend every help to the state,” he said. “It is good that the sarpanches and the panches in the state are also being given powers because only by doing so development could be ensured, be it rail link, airports or roads. It is important that the sarpanches and the panches get their rights because only then development can start at the grass-roots level,” he added. Rahul said in a bid to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system in the state, he already had discussions with state PCC chief Saiffudin Soz and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. “It becomes altogether indispensable for the panches and sarpanches to ensure that the money meant for the development reaches the grass-roots level,” he said. At Rajouri, he addressed party workers and also addressed a public rally at the Dak Bungalow. Rahul said he would soon find out the status of the rail link to twin border districts of Rajouri-Poonch. A survey had been done and I would find out its status, he said. “I am here to meet my people,” he told the gathering, asking them to join the Congress. Rahul told Congress workers that major posts in the party would be filled by elections and not through nomination. “So I suggest that you prepare the party cadres and get elected to the posts.” Earlier, on his arrival here, Rahul was given a rousing reception by Congress activists. Meanwhile, a multi-tier security apparatus was put in place in and around the city, at Marble Market, Trikuta Nagar, Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust, and Technical Airport, Jammu in view of Rahul’s visit.
	Need to propagate Gandhian philosophy: Governor Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 27 Governor NN Vohra has emphasised the need for the propagation of the Gandhian philosophy of non-violence, peace, harmony, brotherhood and strict adherence to ethical values for establishing a more harmonious and tolerant society. He was speaking at a lecture organised by the University of Kashmir and the Sarvodaya International Trust (J&K Chapter) on “Gandhi: National Liberator, Social Emancipator and Non-Violent Revolutionary”, by PA Nazareth, former Ambassador and Managing Trustee of the Sarvodaya International Trust, at the University of Kashmir here today. The Governor said over the past three decades, violence and terrorism had become a worldwide phenomenon He added in such a scenario there was a need for creating awareness about the Gandhian values of peace and non-violence. He said post-retirement, Nazareth had done considerable work for the promotion of Gandhiji’s teachings and philosophy. He suggested that the copies of Nazareth’s lecture be distributed among interested students. He added the documentary film, “Nashville-we were warriors”, screened on the occasion, also showed that non-violence, as propagated by Gandhiji, was the most powerful tool. In his lecture, Nazareth dwelt upon various facets of the Gandhian philosophy. He recalled Gandhiji’s historic contribution as a national liberator, who secured freedom for the country with his non-violent satyagrahas. He added that as a social reformer, the Mahatma accorded the highest priority to the elimination of untouchability, empowerment of the underprivileged sections of society and women. Nazareth said the Mahatma was against all forms of violence and he revolutionised the world with his philosophy of non-violence. The First Lady, Usha Vohra, Mrs Nazareth, Varun Sahni, Vice-Chancellor of the Jammu University, Abdul Wahid, Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir, Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, Syed Fayyaz Ahmad, Registrar, University of Kashmir, Deans, Department Heads, faculty members, members of the SIT and students of the university were present on the occasion. Meanwhile, the Governor released Nazareth’s book, “Gandhi’s Outstanding Leadership”, at Raj Bhawan here today. Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said sustained peace and normalcy were imperative for achieving growth and development on a sustained basis. He referred to the immense damage caused to the state in all spheres due to the unfortunate situation that had prevailed in the past years. He said the education of the students had suffered irreparable losses. In his introduction to the book, Nazareth read out several excerpts from the volume and spoke about the purpose behind writing it. He added that the translated versions of the book were being published in various Indian and foreign languages. This is the 2011 edition of the book, which was first published in 2006.
	HC orders man’s release from preventive custody DS Chauhan Jammu, September 27 Justice JP Singh of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, while quashing the order of the District Magistrate, Ramban, directed the state to release the petitioner, Abdul Rashid Naik, forthwith from preventive custody. “The submission óf the petitioner’s counsel that there is no likelihood of the petitioner’s release from custody as the punishment provided for the offences for which he stood charged was death or imprisonment for life and in the circumstances, there being no compelling necessity for detaining him in preventive custody, the detention order was liable to be set aside due to the detaining authority’s non-application of mind, therefore, succeeds,” held the High Court. The District Magistrate, Ramban, had ordered Naik’s detention under Section 8 of the Public Safety Act, 1978, while he was already in police custody in a case. The High Court, while quashing the detention order, observed that, “There being no material on record indicating that if the petitioner is released from custody, he may indulge in activities prejudicial to the security of the state, the exercise of powers by the District Magistrate under Section 8 of the Public Safety Act, 1978 cannot be sustained in the absence of any compelling reasons justifying the petitioner’s detention in preventive custody.”
	Birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh celebrated Tribune News Service Jammu, September 27 A number of political and student associations paid tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh on his 104th birth anniversary here today. To commemorate the martyr, the Kranti Dal organised a function at Bhagat Singh Chowk in the Jewel area here. The Dal members paid floral tributes to the martyr and distributed sweets. Addressing the function, Raj Roop Singh, president of the Kranti Dal, demanded the installation of a big statue of the martyr. The Progressive Students Association (PSA) also paid tributes to the martyr at a programme organised in front of the Dhanvantri Library at the University of Jammu. The National Secular Forum (NSF) also organised a programme at the university and distributed sweets among the students, scholars and teachers. They also raised slogans like “Bhagat Singh Amar Rahe”, “Inquilab Zindabad” and garlanded the portrait of the martyr. Prof Shohab Inayat Malik, Head of the Department of Urdu, was the chief guest on the occasion. He asked the students to follow Bhagat Singh’s ideology.
	Navratra festival begins at Katra today Tribune News Service Jammu, September 27 The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal, has directed all the departments concerned and the police to make adequate arrangements for the Navratra festival, which is starting at Katra tomorrow. Katra is the base camp for the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand would inaugurate the festival at Asia Chowk around noon tomorrow. Kotwal said during the festival, shobha yatras and cultural processions by troupes and tableaux would be organised daily. “Besides, a devotional song competition, dramas, sermons on the Ramayan and the Bhagwad Gita and an international wrestling competition will also be organised,” said Kotwal. He added that the holy town would be decorated during the period. Kotwal told the police officers to make adequate security arrangements in and around the festival venue, intensify patrolling and manage traffic properly. He also directed the officials concerned to monitor the working of the municipal authorities responsible for cleanliness in the town.
	Governor’s greetings on navratras Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 27 Governor NN Vohra has greeted the people on the beginning of navratras and prayed for communal harmony, brotherhood, peace, progress and prosperity in the state. In a message of greetings, the Governor said the navratras had an added significance in Jammu and Kashmir, as the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine attracted a very large number of pilgrims during this period. He said the commencement of the navratras was also marked by a grand festival at Katra, the base camp of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. This festival, inter alia, showcased the glorious traditions of the composite cultural ethos of the state.
	Army provides computers, furniture to schools Tribune News Service Jammu, September 27 Under the Operation Sadbhavna, the Rashtriya Rifles has given computers and furniture to schools in remote villages of Bafliaz at Surankote in Poonch district. While computers were given to a school at Buni Khet village, furniture was given to schools in Mastan Dhara and Poshana villages. The items were handed over the school authorities at a function organised at Bafliaz. The Zonal Education Officer, Poonch, Mohammad Azam, sarpanches of Buni Khet, Mastan Dhara and Poshana, nambardars and principals and teachers of the schools.
	NHPC gives scholarships Tribune News Service Jammu, September 27 The Dulhasti Power Station of NHPC Limited today gave scholarships to 14 students of government schools belonging to the SC and ST categories in Kishtwar district. As per an official press note, MH Malik, Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, and Rajeev Hustu, General Manager of the Dulhasti Power Station, distributed the cheques for Rs 84,000 to the students at the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
	Symposium held on World Tourism Day Tribune News Service Jammu, September 27 On the occasion of World Tourism Day, the state Tourism Department, in association with the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (SHTM), University of Jammu, and the Amar Mahal Museum and Library, organised a symposium “Tourism-Linking Cultures” at the Amar Mahal here today. Robin Singh Mehta, Director, Tourism, Jammu region, was the chief guest on the occasion. Robin said the exchange of ideas about different cultures created awareness among people. “To know about the cultural diversity of our country, one must travel and meet people,” said Mehta.