The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Noisy scenes, adjournments mark end of autumn session PDP continues to raise din in Assembly over NC worker’s death in custody Ehsan Fazili/TNS Srinagar, October 4 On the last day of the autumn session, the state Assembly adjourned sine die here today amid pandemonium for the second consecutive day as the opposition PDP insisted on a discussion over the mysterious death of National Conference worker Sayeed Mohammad Yousuf here last week. Soon after the House assembled for Question Hour this morning, the PDP members insisted on taking up the discussion by suspending all other business of the House even as the Speaker had disallowed the motion yesterday. Thirteen members of the PDP had yesterday moved an application again for the adjournment motion, seeking a discussion today on the death of the NC worker. The agitating members were referring to varying reports coming in over the government’s handling of the issue. One of the reports had suggested that the high court had not received any request for a sitting judge to hold the inquiry. Another report had suggested that the District Magistrate, Srinagar, had been asked to hold the inquiry. In the milieu that followed, Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone adjourned the House sine die as there was no end to the noisy scenes leading to repeated adjournments. This announcement of the Speaker came soon after Question Hour. Deputy Chairman of the Upper House S. Arvinder Singh Micky also adjourned the Legislative Council sine die. The PDP members who came into the well of the House raised slogans “Qaatilon ko paish karo”. The Speaker held that since he had already disallowed the motion yesterday, there was no point in holding the discussion. Intervening, the lone CPI (M) member, M Y Tarigami, also sought discussion on the issue. He criticised the way the Chief Minister, DGP and the Home Secretary had taken up the issue “outside” the House. The Panthers Party member, Harsh Dev Singh, held that even as the issue had been referred to the High Court, the Assembly had the authority to discuss it. While the uproarious scenes continued with the PDP members coming into the well of the House, the Speaker conducted some of the government business even as most of the members were not in the know of the proceedings of Question Hour and the resolutions being taken up. Panthers Party members expressed concern over the continued disturbance in the House since the session began, and alleged that no public issues were taken up during this brief autumn session. The opposition BJP members also expressed concern over the continued uproarious scenes since last week and blamed the ruling NC-Congress combine and the opposition PDP for them. Probe ‘evidence’ shown to Oppn Law Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar on Tuesday silenced the PDP when he produced receipt of the communication sent to High Court regarding judicial probe into the death of Sayeed Mohammad Yousuf. Waving the letter along with the receipt of Registrar General of the High Court in the Assembly, he lashed out at PDP for playing power politics in the House and issuing statements full of lies. Sagar said it was unfortunate that a major opposition party was misleading the state and the country.
	Legislative Council 3 PDP legislators suspended for the day Srinagar, October 4 Three PDP legislators were suspended and debarred from attending today’s proceedings of the Legislative Council after they broke into the House demanding a discussion on the alleged custodial death of an NC worker. Deputy Chairman Arvinder Singh Mickey suspended the three PDP members after they did not pay heed to repeated warnings to maintain the discipline of the House and kept on shouting slogans, “killers be presented”. The trio -- Murtaza Khan, Ashraf Ali and Nizam-ud-din Khatana -- earlier broke into the House after they were marshalled out following an uproar over an adjournment motion brought by them. The PDP legislators were demanding that the House business be adjourned and a discussion be held on the alleged custodial death of NC worker Syed Mohammad Yousuf. Mickey accepted the motion but said it would be discussed when time was alloted to it. This led to the interruption of the House proceedings by the PDP members, who demanded a discussion be held without delay and kept on shouting slogans against the NC. The three legislators were suspended after the Leader of the House and Sports Minister, RS Chib, requested the Deputy Chairman to take action against them. The PDP legislators, while being taken away by marshals, kept on raising slogans against the NC. Later, the House proceedings went on smoothly. — PTI
	PDP flayed for politicising NC worker’s death Tribune News Service Jammu, October 4 The Jammu and Kashmir Christian Dalit Association, Jammu, has condemned the PDP for politicising the death of a National Conference (NC) worker. However, the association has appreciated the prompt action taken by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for ordering a judicial probe into the death of Sayeed Mohammad Yousuf in police custody. In a meeting of the association held here yesterday under the chairmanship of S Peter, the members observed that prima facie Shah appeared to have died due to a cardiac arrest. “Unfortunately, PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and president Mehbooba Mufti are in a habit of indulging in cheap politics and are trying to take political mileage out of human tragedies,” said Peter. He said the PDP leaders could not resist the temptation to discredit the NC-Congress coalition government, demanding its ouster and resignation of the Chief Minister over every issue. “They are so desperate to come to power that they can go to any extent to arouse people’s passions and even create chaos and compound human sufferings. Despite all their machinations, Omar Abdullah-led coalition government in the state is going to complete its full six years term,” Peter added. The Christian Dalit Association also hailed Omar Abdullah’s magnanimity and sensitiveness over the honour of the women folk, which he had demonstrated by tendering a public apology over a goof-up from certain quarters in his government. To a question in the Assembly, the Home Department had mentioned the names of rape victims during the past five years. It needs courage to accept a mistake committed unintentionally and ask for public apology, said Peter.
	A dose of Performax for soldiers in Leh Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, October 4 After Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju launched “Performax”, a herbal drug developed by the DRDO for soldiers working in high-altitude areas, the General Hospital for armed forces in Leh has started prescribing the drug to the men in olive green. The drug improves the physical and mental performance of security personnel working in high altitude where the oxygen concentration is low. “This is the first such drug ever developed by the DRDO for soldiers posted in high-altitude areas. It has 211.8 calorific value and is rich in adaptogens and antioxidants, including vitamins,” Jammu-based officiating Defence PRO SN Acharaya told The Tribune. The DRDO has formulated Performax, a composite herbal drug known to improve the physical and mental performance of security personnel working in high altitude and hypoxic conditions, he added. Every soldier who has to work in a high-altitude area in Jammu and Kashmir has to first undergo a medical examination at General Hospital in Leh, and now this hospital has started prescribing this drug to soldiers, he said. The formulation is rich in antioxidants and other bioactive compounds that improve the performance of brain, heart, kidney and lungs. It also improves blood circulation, he claimed. The trial of the drug was conducted in various high-altitude areas, particularly in Ladakh region, said the officiating spokesperson. Information provided by the spokesperson reads: “The glaciated Himalayan peaks along the northern border of the country offer a formidable challenge to the troops guarding the borders of the country. Extreme cold and wind chill, heavy snow fall, inhospitable terrain and harmful UV radiations take a toll on the health and well-being of the combatants”. A greater challenge at high altitude is the low oxygen, and thin air affects performance and often results in physiological derailments. To address these physiological maladies at high altitude, the Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) under DRDO developed Performax, a unique herbal formulation of 10 selected herbs known to have adaptogenic properties. Acharaya said animal studies conducted by scientists from DIHAR under the guidance of Dr R B Srivastava, Director, DIHAR, showed nearly 36 per cent increased physical performance during the treadmill test on rats administered with the formulation during exposure to altitude simulating 25,000 ft. The capsule has 211.8 calorific value and is rich in adaptogens and antioxidants, including vitamins. The capsule increased blood oxygenation and reduced low-density lipoproteins and cholesterol. Besides, it increased mitochondrial density in muscle tissue and reduced neuro-degeneration leading to improved memory in drug-treated animals. It also improved appetite in the hypoxic animals, he added.
	Lt-Gen Parnaik visits Siachen, interacts with jawans Tribune News Service Udhampur, October 4 The General Officer Commanding of the Northern Command, Lt Gen KT Parnaik, visited forward posts on the Siachen Glacier during the second day of his visit to the Ladakh region. Lt Gen KT Parnaik took a first-hand account of the difficulties and challenges being faced by troops in extreme weather conditions. During his interaction with the troops, he wished them and their families happiness and prosperity and applauded all ranks for their great service in maintaining the sanctity of borders in the highest, coldest and most difficult terrain in the world. The Army Commander also witnessed the delivery of a carried postal cover at the Forward Landing Base (FLB) to an Army unit deployed on the glacier. A philatelic exhibition was organised at the Siachen base camp and a special cover was released to commemorate the occasion. Lt Gen Parnaik was accompanied by the Chief Postmaster General of the Jammu and Kashmir Circle, John Samuel.
	Farmers’ direct market inaugurated Tribune News Service Jammu, October 4 Former Deputy Mayor of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) Dharam Veer Singh Jamwal inaugurated the second farmers’ direct market at Talab Tillo here today. The Department of Horticulture Planning and Marketing has recently taken an initiative of organising weekly kisan mandis in various localities of the city to provide a platform to small and marginal vegetable growers and consumers. These weekly farmers’ direct markets are being organised on the directions of Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture Sham Lal Sharma and have been appreciated by farmers. The Area Marketing Officer, Jammu, informed the people about the utility of these direct markets for them, particularly farmers. He said the department would inaugurate one such direct market at Sainik Colony shortly. Earlier, the department had inaugurated a similar market in the Channi Himmat area here.
	State needs an agriculture revolution, says Governor Tribune News Service Srinagar, October 4 Governor NN Vohra has called upon higher education institutions to take up collaborative research projects in identified fields, which have a bearing on the development of agriculture and its allied sectors, for self sufficiency in agriculture production in the state. He was addressing the valedictory session of the two-day national conference on “Recent Trends in Biosciences” at SP College here this evening. He said, “To begin with, a few research projects could be taken up for collaborative research, ensuring that they have the potential of promoting productive local applications.” He added that there was a need for bringing about an agricultural revolution in the state and increasing agriculture productivity by securing the maximum possible benefits from the latest farm technology and know how. Referring to the Inspire programme launched by the Central government for attracting talented boys and girls for pursuing science as career, the Governor expressed hope that a large number of bright students would benefit from the incentives provided under the programme. This would contribute, over the next few years, to making up the shortage of qualified science teachers in the state. He hoped a number of talented students from the state would pursue higher studies in science as it provided a good opening and varied career options. Abdul Wahid Qureshi, Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir, said though all the areas of study were important, the study of science had acquired greater relevance in the present day due to the tremendous progress made in the realm of science and technology. He also dwelt upon numerous discoveries made in the arena of biosciences and said the theme of the conference was most relevant.
	Seminar on biodiversity conservation organised Udhampur, October 4 As part of the National Environment Awareness Campaign of the World Wide Fund (WWF), a seminar on “Biodiversity Conservation” was organised at Government Girls Middle Model School at Doda today. As many as 20 school students participated. They spoke on the current scenario of biodiversity and its conservation at the local and regional levels in view of the measures being taken globally. Former Chairman of the Municipal Committee (MC), Doda, Asif Jahan Gattu was the chief guest of the seminar while headmistress of the school Syeda Anjum was the guest of honour. Gattu appreciated the participants of the seminar and exhorted the students and the youth to play an active role in the conservation of environment by acting locally and thinking globally. The headmistress gave away prizes to all the participants. — TNS
	Protesting govt employees baton-charged, five hurt Srinagar, October 4 The police used force to scuttle a protest march by government employees here today in support of their demands, including the release of the arrears of the Sixth Pay Commission. The employees assembled on the main road near Exhibition Crossing late this afternoon and started marching towards the Civil Secretariat. However, they were stopped by the police at Jehangir Crossing and told to disperse. When the employees insisted on going ahead with the march, the police used batons to disperse them, official sources said. They added five protesters were injured while 20 others, including some employee leaders, were taken into preventive custody. An employee union had given the protest call in support of its demand for the release of the Pay Commission arrears, increase in the retirement age from 58 to 60 years and the regularisation of the services ad hoc and daily wage workers. Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir ASHA Workers Union also held a protest at the Sher-i-Kashmir Park in the heart of the city. Hundreds of ASHA workers from all parts of the Valley participated in it. They were demanding the government employee status, a salary hike and the timely payment of salary, six hours of duty, supply of special kits, adequate protection in the field, identity cards and other incentives, the soruces said. — PTI
	Films on sensitive issues can invite trouble: Film-maker Ashutosh Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, October 4 Making a film on a socially and politically sensitive issues is like inviting trouble, as the right to freedom of expression remains susceptible in a country that claims to be the largest democracy in the world, said film-maker, Mukesh Bhatt, here today. “The director of Aarakshan, Prakash Jha, was caught in the eye of a storm for touching a socially and politically sensitive issue recently,” Bhatt said in response to a question whether he would like to make a film, based on human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir. “Though I stood by Jha when he was facing a crisis, but I say it with authority that if a film-maker ever attempts to make a film on such issues, the film would never see the light of the day,” Bhatt said and added that, “We are just entertainers. We make films, keeping in mind the market economy and popular demand. Though I made some films having social relevance, but I must admit that I am not a social worker.” Bhatt, who has produced some highly acclaimed films like ‘Zakhm’ and ‘Sangharsh’ sounded quite optimistic that peace would get restored in the state some day. “The day is not far when film-makers would again start shooting for films here, as it is the most beautiful place in the world,” he said. Bhatt was a part of a panel, comprising film director Madhur Bhandarkar, music composer, Pritam, managing director of Venus records, Ganesh Jain and trade analyst, Vikas Mohan. They were in the city in connection with the annual all India devotional song competition, organised by the All India Devotional Song Committee, Katra, in association with the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the state Tourism Department, besides various other private sponsors under the supervision of the Navratra Festival Committee, headed by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu. The mega final of the competition would be organised tomorrow in the holy city of Katra. “The 14-year-old event has given a platform to many singers to make it to the film industry. The panelists, including Mukesh Bhat, Ganesh Jain and Vikas Mohan have been associated with the event for quite long. They are here to judge the best voice during the song competition,” said chairman of the committee, Rakesh Wazir, and added, “The winner would get gold worth 1 lakh, besides a recording contract with the Venus Records and Tapes Ltd.”
	Governor, Omar greet people on Mahanavami Srinagar, October 4 Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have felicitated the people of the state on the festivals of Mahanavami and Dasehra. In his message of greetings, the Governor said these festivals symbolised the triumph of virtue and righteousness over evil and darkness. He observed that these festivals were a glorious heritage of our pluralistic traditions, which further strengthened the bonds of communal harmony, brotherhood and amity. He prayed for peace, progress and prosperity in the state. The Chief Minister, wishing the people well being and prosperity, said the state had a rich tradition of celebrating festivals and holy occasions in amity and a secular temperament. Omar said this trait of the state added colour to the festivity and universalised joy and happiness. — TNS
	A positive trend: Valley youth push for better sports facilities Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Pampore (Kashmir), October 4 Banners in the market of Pampore town reflect a positive trend among youth of the Valley who now want to channelise their energy towards sports. Banners, demanding sports facilities in Pampore, have been put up in the main market by the youths who have been agitating over the issue for the past one month. “We have been demanding better sports facilities in our town,” said Shahid, a local youth, standing with his friends in the market. He asserted that young people of the town have a lot of talent but they are unable to tap it due to lack of facilities. He said the agitating youths had decided to intensify the ongoing struggle for better sports facilities. Zahoor Ahmed Mir, local MLA, admitted that the younger generation’s interest in sports reflects changing trends. “Actually, the stadium situated on the highway is filled up with water, so all sports activities have been stalled,” Mir said, adding that he had already taken up the matter with Youth and Sports Minister RS Chib. “As a lot of money is involved in providing better sports facilities, the minister has decided to approach the Army to create sports infrastructure at Pampore so as to channelise the energy of the local youth”, Mir said. Besides Pampore, sports activities have also increased in other parts of the Valley, reflecting a changing trend among the younger generation. Girls are also actively participating in sports activities without any fear. The cricket ground near the office of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) shows the changing situation in the Valley. There are not only camps held for boys there, but girls are also playing matches there. Mohammad Rafiq, a local, said the change was quite apparent. “The participation of over 4,000 athletes in the first Kashmir Marathan “Run for Fun” organised on September 10 was a clear indication about the changing situation in the Valley.” Furthermore, restarting of Saif-ud-Din Memorial Football Tournament after a gap of 23 years by the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association brought back memories of the old days when hundreds of people used to turn up to watch matches of this tournament. The event had started in the early 1980s in memory of Professor Saif-ud-Din but was later discontinued due to a number of reasons.