The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Governor visits cave shrine, reviews post-yatra cleanliness drive Tribune News Service Jammu, October 16 Governor N N Vohra today visited the Amarnath cave shrine and the camp locations at Baltal and Domel to review the cleanliness drive undertaken along the entire yatra area after the conclusion of this year’s pilgrimage. He utilised the visit to also discuss the arrangements at the base camps and the camps along both tracks for next year’s pilgrimage. The Governor, who is the chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, spent about an hour at the holy cave. He was pleased to find the entire shrine area and the track from the Sangam visibly clean. He was accompanied by RK Goyal, Principal Secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the shrine board. While discussing the facilities to be provided for Yatra-2012, the Governor asked the CEO to ensure that the facilities in the cave area were suitably upgraded. Later, the Governor along with officials of Ganderbal district, inspected the Baltal and Domel camp locations. He appreciated the efforts made to protect the sanitation infrastructure and gave on-the-spot instructions for next year’s yatra. At Domel, the Governor held discussions with the Deputy Commissioner and the SSP regarding the measures required to secure effective functioning of the access control system for ensuring the controlled flow of pilgrims across the check barrier. Before returning to Srinagar, the Governor visited the recently inaugurated Youth Hostel, Yatri Niwas and Sonamarg Club at Sonamarg.
	Drop in temperature hits power generation Archit Watts Tribune News Service Jammu, October 16 With the onset of winter and fresh snowfall in the upper reaches of the state, the power generation has dipped, forcing the Power Development Department (PDD) to impose extra cuts. Due to the change in weather conditions, the rivers feeding water to the hydroelectric projects are witnessing a sharp decline in the water level, causing lesser power generation. All the powerhouses located on the Chenab, Jhelum, Indus and Ravi rivers are facing shortage of water, as the water channels have started freezing. Talking to The Tribune over phone, PK Kaul, chief engineer, Baglihar Power Project, said: “The water level in the river has decreased, causing rapid decline in the generation. Earlier the generation was around 450 MW, and now it has been reduced to 360 MW.” He said with the start of winter, the generation would be hit further. “The generation began to decline from October 11 onwards. In the peak of winters, the total generation of this powerhouse goes down to 150 MW, which means 300 MW lesser than its capacity,” Kaul added, terming it the winter effect. At present, the state requires 1,500 MW power, and the decline in power generation has sent PDD officials into a tizzy. This change in power scenario has also increased the worries of industrialists, who are already fuming over the hike in power tariff. “The erratic power supply and unscheduled power cuts are proving to be a bane for us. If the situation does not improve in a few days, the industrialists will have no other options but to shut down their units,” said Gautam Singla, an industrialist at the Gangyal area here. Worried over the decline in power generation, chief engineer, PDD, Shahnaz Goni has appealed to the public to conserve energy and avoid unnecessary usage.
	Jashan-e-Faiz aims to boost Indo-Pak peace process Writers, singers from both nations to attend Jammu fest Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, October 16 To promote and script Indo-Pak peace through literary activities, the civil society of Jammu will be organising “Jashan-e-Faiz” in the City of Temples in which prominent writers, singers and literary personalities from the Indian subcontinent will participate. Jashan-e-Faiz will be held to commemorate the birth centenary of renowned Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Jashan-e-Faiz, the first event of its kind to be held in Jammu, will be organised on November 28 and 29. Renowned writers and singers from India and Pakistan have agreed to participate in the event. “The aim of organising this event is to give a boost to the peace process between India and Pakistan,” Masoud Choudhary, patron of the Jammu Civil Society, told The Tribune. Masoud, who has roped in a number of organisations to make the forthcoming event a success, said besides artistes from both India and Pakistan, family members of Faiz would also participate in the event. “Faiz was not a poet of any one country. He lives in the heart of every person who believes in secularism, brotherhood and peace”, Masoud said, adding that the aim of the event was to promote harmony between the two countries by holding interactions between literary personalities of the neighbouring nations”. Elated over the encouraging response received from different sections of society for making the forthcoming event a historical moment, Masoud said the Jammu Civil Society comprised eminent personalities from different fields, including teachers and members of the bar association. “The ICCR and Jammu University have also decided to support the event,” he said even as he declared that the younger generation was being encouraged to participate in the event to script a new chapter of peace and amity between India and Pakistan. Masoud said Faiz had closed relations with Jammu and Kashmir because he had got married in Kashmir and the last Dogra ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, had hosted a reception for Faiz in Kashmir. Faiz, who was born in Sailkot, has fans in both India and Pakistan.
	Police sports festival begins today Tribune News Service Jammu, October 16 The Jammu and Kashmir Police yesterday announced to hold a three-day Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range Level Sports Festival to be held at the Mini Stadium, Parade Ground, here from tomorrow. Addressing mediapersons here yesterday, DIG Jammu-Kathua Range, Farooq Khan, said around 120 boys and girls from Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts would take part in volleyball, kho-kho, wrestling and kabaddi events. “Twenty teams from Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts will vie for the top honours in the four disciplines,” said Khan. He also informed that to make the festival attractive, artistes from the Song and Drama Division and the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages would perform on the inaugural and concluding day of the festival. Replying to a question, Khan said these types of festivals were being held across the state to cement the police-public relations. “We also want to convey the message that the police is for the people,” he added. He said boarding and lodging arrangements had been made for the comfortable stay of sportspersons, especially female participants coming from other districts. Besides, transport facilities would also be made available for the convenience of players. He also informed that in wrestling, the winner of the light weight category would be awarded ‘Jammu Kumar’ title while the winner of the middle weight category would get ‘Jammu Kesari’ title and the winner of the super weight category would receive ‘Rustam-e-Jammu’ title.
	LeT revives ‘target cops’ operation Probe into recent killing of constable Sajjad by militants points to Lashkar link Srinagar, October 16 Targeting policemen appears to be the new modus operandi of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba terror outfit as has been found during the investigation into the killing of a constable on Friday. Constable Sajjad Ahmad Parray of the 19th India Reserve Battalion was shot at from close range at the Tailbal bus stand after Friday prayers. He succumbed to his injuries yesterday. An investigation into the case led the sleuths to a person who was being passed diktats by Furkan, Lashkar's key operative from across the border, official sources said today. Muzzafar Mir, a resident of Wangat in Kangan, was arrested late last night after a watch by central security agencies and policemen on his activities. Mir, a Class X dropout, had been interacting with Furkan and taking orders from him, they said. According to his interrogation report, Lashkar has revived its operation “Target Policemen” and the killing of Parray was as per this plan, the sources said. The terror outfit had started targeting policemen in 2008 with sniper attacks but had shelved the operation after a module had been busted. According to the investigation in the present case, the sources said the pistol with which the constable was shot at had been recovered. During interrogation, the sources claimed Mir told them about the design of Lashkar to target policeman. According to the sources, Mir said that Lashkar wanted to target policemen in civilian areas after ensuring that there was no backup for the cops, which would also allow the attackers to make an easy escape. — PTI
	Four killed in road mishap Tribune News Service Udhampur, October 16 Four persons, including a minor girl were killed and four others were injured, when the vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road and rolled down the hillside in Doda district today evening. The accident took place near Chata on Gundna Road in Doda district, allegedly due to rash driving by the driver of the ill-fated Tata Sumo. The local residents rushed to the spot to rescue the victims. Officials informed that two occupants of the vehicle died on-the-spot while two others died on way to District Hospital, Doda. The injured were also admitted to Doda District Hospital. A nine-year-old girl was killed in the accident while another deceased has been identified as Ghulam Nabi Moulvi of Gundna, who died on way to the hospital. Other deceased and injured were not identified till the filing of this report.
	Commercial units fined in Udhampur Bhadarwah, October 16 As part of the drive to protect consumers, an inspection team of the Legal Metrology Department yesterday conducted checks in various commercial establishments in Udhampur and slapped a fine of Rs 28,000 on them for indulging in unfair trade practices during the festival season. Assistant Controller, Legal Metrology, Udhampur, Anita Sharma said a fine of Rs 4,000 was slapped on the owner of a cement factory, Rs 8,000 on two wine shop owners, Rs 3,000 on a popular sweet shop owner, Rs 3,000 on a spice factory owner, Rs 5,000 on a gas agency owner and Rs 5,000 on a dealer of weight and measures for violation of weight and measures rules. A total Rs 28, 000 was realised as fine from all violators. The department has recovered Rs 31,600 from 18 traders as composition money during this month. Sharma has issued directions to traders to use only verified weighing instruments and to sell packages with mandatory declarations of MRP, net weight packed, complete address of the manufacturer and packer along with the consumer helpline number. Any trader found violating these would be liable for action. — TNS
	Kud dance finally finds place at national festival Tribune News Service Jammu, October 16 In yet another initiative to revive the traditional performing arts of the state, a group of children trained in ‘Kud’ dance by eminent theatre director Balwant Thakur at his native Bakkal village in Reasi district have been selected for the National Festival of Traditional Arts by Children (Bal Sangam-2011). This is for the first time that a group of children, performing the traditional art form from the Jammu region, have been selected to participate in the country’s most prestigious cultural event being organised by the National School of Drama, New Delhi. The festival is going to be held at Bhawalpur House, New Delhi, from November 5 to12. Balwant Thakur said, “It is an endeavour to encourage the younger generation in the traditional art and take it to new heights.” “Generally, the younger generations shy away from carrying the tradition forward, owing to which many rarest art forms have vanished completely,” Thakur said. He added, “A team of young artistes from my native village responded to my request and started practising the Kud dance in 2009 and within two years they have become accomplished artistes and have shown their excellence by making it to the National Festival of Traditional Arts by Children.” ‘Kud’ is a traditional ritualistic dance form, which is performed to please the local deities. At some places artistes take out processions of local deities, where one deity goes to meet another with the accompaniment of Kud dancers. The Kud dance is performed on a traditional orchestra, including flutes, local drums and other rare instruments. Interestingly only a few elderly people play these instruments, as the younger generation is not encouraged to perform the rare art forms. The Hari Saran Cultural Centre, Bakkal, under the guidance of Krishan Singh, prepared the group of children. Ashok Thakur has been nominated by the National School of Drama to coordinate the programme. The Hari Saran Cultural Centre has been created by Krishan Singh, nambardar of Bakkal village, to promote and preserve the traditional performing arts of the Nagot hills of Jammu.
	GGM College holds memorial service Jammu, October 16 The NSS unit of GGM Science College today paid floral tributes to the martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for the rights of students in 1966. In memory of Gurcharan Singh, Brij Mohan, Gulshan Handa and Subhash Chander, a large number of students and teachers gathered at the Shaheedi Sthal in the college and paid tributes to them. Programme Officer Prof Rajinder Singh and NSS Commander Rohit Kumar were also present during the tribute ceremony. A five minute silence was also observed, as a mark of respect to the martyrs. — TNS
	Lecturers back govt decision Tribune News Service Jammu, October 16 All J&K Plus Two Lecturers’ Forum today supported the decision of state government for rationalisation of staff in the school education department. The forum, which met under the chairmanship of its president HD Qureshi, appreciated the decision of state government. Qureshi said, “The decision taken by the education minister is very challenging, but it is fruitful for the betterment of education from bottom to the top.” He said the Director, School Education, was also keen to implement the programmes of the government to achieve the desired goals of academic excellence and quality education.
	Students felicitated for clearing Army recruitment test Tribune News Service Udhampur, October 16 The civil administration of Mahore subdivision of Reasi district and 61 RR Battalion, under the aegis of 15 Sector RR organised a function yesterday evening to felicitate seven students of Mahore, who cleared the recruitment test conducted by the Army recently. Though thousands of youth and students participated in the recruitment rally, but only seven students of Mahore subdivision of the district cleared the physical, medical and written tests. Since this is considered a big achievement for the students, the local administration and the Army have decided to felicitate them, as a befitting recognition of their ability to pass the strenuous standard of the Army’s test. High ranking Army officers and civilian dignitaries, including Brig DA Chaturvedi, Commander 15 Sector RR, Thakur Sher Singh, SDM, Mahore, and Commanding Officer 61 RR Battalion attended the function organised at Government Higher Secondary School, Mahore. A large number of students as well as the staff of the school was present at the function. In his address, Brig Chaturvedi congratulated the students and their families and advised them to serve the country to the best of their ability. He also exhorted other students to emulate the example set by the successful students and join the Army to serve the noble cause of defending the country. Speaking on behalf of the selected students Mohammad Afzal, a resident of Sarh, thanked the Army unit based in Mahore, for having prepared them for the recruitment rally, which finally helped them clear all the tests. “My childhood dream of serving the nation by joining the Army is fulfilled now,” he said, adding that such functions help motivate youth and students to work hard to join the Army.
	APHCC members end fast after govt assurance Tribune News Service Jammu, October 16 Following assurance from the state government, the All Party Hindu Coordination Committee (APHCC) suspended its 10-day indefinite hunger strike today. However, the APHCC gave one-month time to the government to accept their charter of demands. The committee is demanding the passing of the Temples and Shrines Bill in the Assembly and the establishment of Shardha Peeth University in the state. Minister for Medical Education, Youth Affairs and Sports RS Chib along with Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Sanjeev Verma today went to the venue of the hunger strike and persuaded Vinod Pandit and Sunita Sharma to end their fast. He assured them that their demands would be taken up at the highest level. Following assurances from the minister, they agitating members of the APHCC ended their fast.
	Stocking of essential goodsin Ladakh reviewed Tribune News Service Srinagar, October 16 The pace of stocking of essential commodities, building material and departmental supplies in the Ladakh region was reviewed ahead of the winter at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs Abdul Rahim Rather here recently. It was observed at the meeting that the stocking of essential commodities and key construction material in Leh and Kargil districts was going on in full swing. While the stocking of foodgrains and essential commodities had almost completed, the focus was on dispatching the key construction material in view of the additional demand for cement and steel before the closure of the Srinagar-Leh National Highway. Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora and other senior officials from Leh and Kargil districts, Commissioner/Secretary, Forests, Shantmanu, Transport Commissioner Syed Fazal-ullah and other civil and police officers attended the meeting.
	Three arrested for gambling Tribune News Service Jammu, October 16 The Samba police today arrested three persons for gambling and recovered Rs 24,000 from their possession today. A police team led by SHO, Vijaypur, Kuldeep Raj conducted a raid in the forest area at Railway Road and nabbed three gamblers after a long chase. The accused have been identified as Kishore Sharma, Narotam Singh and Mahesh Kumar, all residents of Vijaypur. A case under the Gambling Act has been registered at the police station in Vijaypur. SSP, Samba, Israr Khan said 12 police squads had been constituted to ensure that nobody indulged in gambling in view of Diwali. “A District Special Branch has also been activated and a large number of youth of the district have also been enrolled to provide information regarding the illegal practice,” he said. Meanwhile, in another incident, a police team headed by SHO, Samba, Sandeep Mahajan rescued six bovines, which were being smuggled into Kashmir. A special police team intercepted a truck at the SIDCO Chowk in Samba, but on seeing the police, the persons onboard the vehicle managed to escape, leaving behind the vehicle. On searching the vehicle, six bovines were recovered. The vehicle has been seized and a case under the Cruelty to Animals Act stands registered at the police station in Samba. “The driver and the other accused have been identified and the investigations are on. The rescued bovines were handed over to locals of the area on a suparadnama,” the police added.