The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Delhi High Court Blast
NIA probes income sources of Wasim’s family
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 21
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing the sources of income of the family of Wasim Malik, an MBBS student who is the key suspect in the Delhi High Court blast case. It suspects that Pakistan’s ISI may have funded Wasim’s education in Bangladesh.

Reliable sources have disclosed to The Tribune that the NIA team wants to know how Riyaz Malik, who is posted as private secretary to a senior officer of the NHPC, Kishtwar, and his wife, a schoolteacher, are financing the medical education of a son and a daughter, while their another daughter is pursuing LLB at the University of Jammu.

The NIA is checking the bank accounts of Wasim’s family and trying to find out how is it maintaining houses at Bathindi here and in Kishtwar. The sources say the agency is verifying bank statements to ascertain the deposits in the names of Wasim’s family.

A statement of Wasim Malik’s account with Jammu and Kashmir Bank for September shows four deposits between Rs 5,000 and Rs 15,000. The sources say though deposits are not big, the NIA is curious to know why only small deposits were made in the account. Riyaz Malik, Wasim’s father, had deposited the money.

The NIA is also seeking the details about Wasim’s reported absenteeism from his college at Sylhet in Bangladesh. The college management had also noted his absenteeism with one of his teachers, Prof Cyrus Shakiha, and had even written a letter to his parents, informing them about the matter.

Sources in Wasim’s family claim that it has proofs to satisfy the investigating agency that its sources of income are “clean” . They maintain that Wasim is being framed in the case. They also deny that Wasim’s younger brother, Junaid, who has been missing since August, is a Hizbul Mujahideen commander.

AFSPA revocation will affect anti-terror operations: Army
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 21
Even as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) would be revoked from some areas of the state within a few days, the Army felt that diluting or revoking the AFSPA would seriously affect its operations to counter Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

“No doubt, the state government can think of removing the AFSPA from peaceful areas, but at the same time the move may have a cascading effect on our counter-insurgency operations,” said a senior Army officer.

“By revoking the AFSPA the Army will be automatically restricted from going to the peaceful areas, but can the government restrict terrorists from going there and vitiating the atmosphere? Under such circumstances, the Army has no option but to tell the state government to tackle the situation on its own,” he added.

The officer also referred to the statement of the GOC, 15 Corps, Lt-Gen SA Hasnain, that the issue (withdrawal of the AFSPA) was never discussed at the Unified Headquarters in the recent times. Omar had been frequently vouching for either dilution or revocation of the Act.

Another Army officer said the AFSPA provided a legal cover to the forces to fight insurgents, including foreign mercenaries. “Though the Cabinet Committee on Security has to take the final call, if the government goes ahead to withdraw the AFSPA from some areas, it will have an adverse impact upon the counter-insurgency operations of the Army in the militancy-plagued state,” he said.

It may be stated here that to render the AFSPA ineffective the state government has to simply remove the intended areas from the list of the Disturbed Areas Act (DAA), which is applicable to the entire state except Leh and Kargil districts.

The officer felt that the revocation of the AFSPA from some areas may in turn create “safe havens” for militants to take refuge, recuperate and then launch attacks against the security forces and people alike.

“And, what is the guarantee that militancy will not return to the peaceful areas,” he quipped.

Similarly, once the AFSPA was withdrawn from some areas, any operation by Army personnel there would be open to legal scrutiny. This may engross the Army in fighting human rights violation and other legal cases,” he added.

Echoing similar views, yet another Army officer from the garrison town of Udhampur said time was not yet right to do away the AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir. “Tampering with the AFSPA or the DAA may lead to the revival of militancy, which is dying because of the concerted operations by the Army,” he said.

“The DAA was lifted from Imphal in the Northeast and it led to problems there. It later became politically difficult to reimpose the Act,” he said.

It may be recalled here that the state government had suggested to the Union government to assess the situation in Ganderbal, Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Srinagar and Budgam districts for the revocation of the AFSPA.

Don’t politicise issue: BJP
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 21
Taking exception to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statement that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) would be removed from some areas in the state within next few days, chief spokesman for the state BJP Jitendra Singh said today that a decision on such serious matters should be taken in cognisance with professional security experts. He wondered why the Chief Minister was going about making announcements regarding such a sensitive issue and that too when the GoC of 15 Corps, Lt-Gen SA Hasnain, had on record stated that an all-time high number of militants were waiting at the camps across the border to infiltrate.

Jitendra said any final decision regarding the deployment or withdrawal of troops from militancy-prone areas was never the prerogative of any political party or political leader. He asked Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram to clarify whether he had assured Omar of the withdrawal of the AFSPA from thee districts each in Kashmir and Jammu when Defence Minister AK Antony was not in favour of a hasty decision on the issue.

Saying politics should be played in the name of the AFSPA, he opined that in case the state government believed the security situation had improved, it should reduce the security of the Chief Minister and other ministers.

Withdraw troops totally: Mirwaiz

Srinagar, October 21
Welcoming the restoration of the talks with Pakistan, chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said the conglomeration was for better relations between the two neighboring countries and that the people of Kashmir wished to serve as a bridge in that direction.

Addressing the Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid here today, the Mirwaiz said there had been talks between the two nations in the past also, but there were certain impediments. He added the main impediment had been the Kashmir issue and, therefore, unless it was resolved no talks between the two sides could be fruitful.

The Mirwaiz said Kashmir was a political issue and needed a political solution.

Referring to the reports that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) could be withdrawn from some areas of the state, the Mirwaiz said it should be lifted from all the areas. He recalled the Central had assured the Hurriyat Conference during talks in 2005 that the AFSPA would be withdrawn from the state. He, however, lamented that no steps had been taken in this direction.

The Mirwaiz said for any talks with the Centre the latter must first ensure the revocation of all laws providing special powers to the security forces, the complete withdrawal of troops, the release of all political prisoners and an end to human rights violations. — TNS

High-powered panel to review facilities to Amarnath pilgrims
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 21
A high-powered committee was constituted here today to review the available pilgrimage-related facilities and evolve well-considered recommendations for the upgrade and enlargement of the infrastructural facilities for the Amarnath yatra next year.

The decision was taken at a meeting convened by Governor NN Vohra, who is the chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), to discuss with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah various important issues relating to the management of the yatra. The issues were identified at the post-yatra review meeting on August 16.

Today’s meeting decided to set up a committee comprising BR Sharma, Principal Secretary, Home; Kuldeep Khoda, DGP; BB Vyas, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister; Sudhanshu Pandey, Principal Secretary, Planning; RK Goyal, Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the SASB.

Goyal would be the Convener of the committee to assess the adequacy of the existing infrastructure and prepare a action plan regarding the enlargement of the existing facilities and the establishment of new facilities for ensuring the pilgrims a safe and satisfying yatra.

Special speed post launched in state
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 21
A ‘Special Speed Post Free Home Collection Service’ was launched here today as part of the countrywide celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the speed post services, making the state first in the country to have this facility.

A customer would have to dial a toll-free telephone number for availing the reliable and time-bound high-speed mail service.

Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs Abdul Rahim Rather, after launching the service at the General Post Office (GPO) in Srinagar today, eulogised Chief Post Master General John Sameul for starting the innovative and people-friendly service in the state.

Rather said despite the Information Technology (IT) revolution, the postal service in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in villages, was still the most trusted service.

Foundation day of Jana Sangh
Political activists recall ‘Ek Vidhan, Ek Pradhan and Ek Nishan’ movement
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 21
On the 60th foundation day of the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), the BJP today felicitated veteran political activists, who had participated in the 1953 agitation for the total integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.

A large number of veteran political activists, who had participated in the “Ek Vidhan, Ek Pradhan and Ek Nishan” movement under the banner of the Praja Parishad and the BJP in 1953 attended today’s programme and recalled the historic moments of the agitation.

The function was held under the leadership of state president of the BJP Shamsher Singh Manhas and attended by all senior leaders of the party.

Nirmal Singh, Ashok Khajuria, Jugal Kishore, Shyam Choudhary and Ramesh Arora from the present generation and Rishi Kumar Koushal, Yash Bhasin, Amar Nath Vaishnavi, Mulkh Raj Pargal, Surinder Aggarwal and Kuldeep Raj Gupta, who participated in the agitation of the Praja Parishad in 1953, shared their experiences on the occasion.

Koushal and Bhasin expressed the hope that the sacrifices made in 1953 would not go in vain though the present leadership required to frame a strategy to complete the job.

They said Article 370 still existed and there was a separate constitution and a separate flag for the state. The present generation needed to take up the unfinished agenda of the full and complete integration of the state with the rest of the country.

Prominent among others who were felicitated included Amar Nath Gupta, Tilak Chander Singh, Amrit Lal, Atma Ram, Prakashanand Khajuria, Vinod Sharma, Parkasho Devi, Chajju Ram Bhagat, Chajju Ram Gupta, Jag Mohan Khanna, Babu Ram, Shri Niwas, Krishan Dass, Niranjan Singh, Ved Raina, Sansar Singh, Atma Singh, Ratna Devi, Durga Dass, Krishna Anand, KC Verma, LD Sethi, Bodh Raj Sharma, Ghanshyam Sharma, Bua Ditta, Mangat Ram Sharma, Kaku Ram, Nand Ram and others.

Udhampur students hold anti-cracker rally
Tribune News Service

Students of different colleges and schools take out an anti-cracker rally in Udhampur on Friday. A Tribune photograph

Udhampur, October 21
To create awareness about increasing environment pollution, students of Government Degree College (GDC) for Boys, Government College for Women (GCW) and Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) for Boys, Udhampur, jointly organised an anti-cracker rally here today.

A large number of students from these institutions and volunteers of the NSS and the Nature Clubs and students from other educational institutions participated in the rally that passed through different markets and localities of the city before culminating at GHSS for Boys, Udhampur.

The participants carried placards requesting the people to desist from bursting crackers to celebrate festivals, which polluted the environment.

Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Baseer Ahmed Khan was the chief guest at a function organised on the occasion, while the SSP, Udhampur, was the guest of honour.

In his address, Basheer appreciated the role of students as ambassadors for spreading awareness about the ill-effects of pollution. Lauding the initiative, he dwelt upon the need to work together towards creating a smoke and pollution free environment. For the purpose, the students and the youth could play a major role, he added.

Police martyrs remembered
Tribune News Service

Udhampur, October 21
To pay homage to police martyrs for their supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation, Police Commemoration Day was observed at the District Police Lines, Udhampur, today.

After the ceremonial guard of honour, floral tributes were paid to the valiant and brave police martyrs of the district. Poignant scenes marked the solemn occasion, as family members of the martyrs paid tributes to their loved ones, lost forever.

MLA, Chenani, Krishan Chander Bhagat; DIG, Udhampur-Reasi, Jagjit Kumar; District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Baseer Ahmed Khan; SSP, Udhampur, Shakeel Ahmed Beig; Second-in-Command of 137 Bn of the CRPF, Udhampur, PK Kauldhar; district police officers of all ranks, besides representatives of various political parties and prominent citizens paid homage to the departed souls.

Speaking about the importance of the occasion, the DIG, Udhampur-Reasi, said the day was of great significance in the police calendar as it provided an occasion to recall the supreme sacrifices made by the dedicated policemen entrusted with the duty to protect common citizens. It also provided an opportunity to share and acknowledge the grief of the martyrs’ families, he added.

On the occasion, gifts were distributed among the families of the martyrs.

Police Commemoration Day observed
Tribune News Service

Farooq Khan, DIG, Jammu zone, pays tributes at the Police Martyrs Memorial in Jammu on Friday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma

Policewomen reverse their guns as mark of respect to the martyrs during the Police Commemoration Day ceremony on the outskirts of Srinagar on Friday. Photo: Amin War

Police officers wait to lay wreaths. Photo: Amin War

Jammu, October 21
Police officers and relatives of policemen, who laid down their lives in the line of duty, paid tributes to the martyrs on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day here today.

Wreaths were laid at the Police Martyrs Memorial, near the Railway Station, Jammu, in the morning.

Later, the main function was held at Gulshan Ground, where a national commemoration parade was also held. The IGP, Jammu zone, Dilbag Singh, was the chief guest of the function and he took the salute at the Commemoration Day Parade.

The officers of all the units of the police based in Jammu were present, besides a large number of retired police officers and prominent citizens of Jammu. Speaking on the occasion, Dilbag remembered the martyrs, who laid down their lives for the unity and integrity of the nation in different parts of the country. A list of 635 martyrs from the BSF, the CRPF, the ITBP, the CISF, the SSB and the NSG was also read out.

Meanwhile, students of the University of Jammu also held a function and paid tributes to the brave policemen in front of the Dhanvantri Library. A candlelight vigil was also held to mark the day at the Police Martyrs Memorial, in which policemen, relatives of the martyrs and members of the civil society participated in a large number.

A commemoration day parade was held at the District Police Lines, Shah Balode in Samba district. SSP, Samba, Israr Khan was the chief guest of the function.

“It was on this day in 1959 that a CRPF patrol party that set out from its base at an altitude of 16,000 ft in the Hot Springs, near the China border in Ladakh, was ambushed by Chinese soldiers. All 10 CRPF personnel laid down their lives after putting up a tough fight against a large force of Chinese soldiers,” the SSP said in his keynote address.

“The police has a history of gallantry, sacrifice and innumerable achievements. It is because of the sacrifices of a number of police personnel that we continue to enjoy an atmosphere of peace, security and prosperity in the state,” he added.

DC, Samba, Mubarak Singh; MLA Yashpal Kundal and former MLAs Prakash Sharma and Som Nath were prominent among others who attended the function.

Assembly panel for enhanced compensation to Ramban mishap victims
Raju William/TNS

Udhampur, October 21
The House Committee of the state Assembly has observed that cash relief paid to the families of those killed and injured in a tragic road mishap at Digdol in Ramban district last month should be increased.

Terming the relief money as insufficient, the committee at a meeting held in Srinagar yesterday pressed for increasing the amount from Rs 5,000, which had been paid to the next of kin of the deceased and to those injured in the accident.

The committee headed by MLA MY Tarigami also impressed upon the authorities concerned to take immediate measures for the payment of a sufficient compensation to the victims.

The committee is looking into the causes of frequent road accidents on the Batote-Kishtwar road and is tasked to suggest measures for the prevention of such tragedies.

Tarigami also expressed grief over the death of people in the road accidents at Seri and Mehar Kundi Nullah in Ramban district on October 10 and 19. The committee impressed upon the district administration concerned, the Home Department, the transport and traffic authorities to take immediate measures for providing relief and financial assistance to the victims, besides ensuring the strict implementation of preventive measures.

Omar for ST status to Pahari-speaking people

Srinagar, October 21
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Friday that a proposal to accord the Scheduled Tribes (ST) status to the Pahari language-speaking people had already been submitted to the Centre. The state government would keep pressing the Centre on the issue.

The Chief Minister said this while reviewing the activities of the State Advisory Board for Development of Pahari-Speaking People here. Omar approved various proposals pertaining to the development of the Pahari-speaking people and directed the board to route many other proposals through the Social Welfare Department for approval. — PTI

Balwant Thakur awarded
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 21
On the occasion of the 219th birth anniversary celebrations of Maharaja Gulab Singh, Natrang director Balwant Thakur was honoured with “Maharaja Gulab Singh Memorial Award-2011” for his lifetime contribution to the development of the art and culture of Jammu and Kashmir.

The award was presented to him by Dr Karan Singh, president of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations, at Royal Retreats, Jammu. Instituted by the Maharaja Gulab Singh Memorial Trust, the award carries Rs 1 lakh, a citation and a shawl.

The citation of Balwant Thakur was read by Brig JS Rajput, who artistically narrated his achievements and contribution to the field of art, literature and culture in general and theatre in particular.

BSF Inter Frontier Games conclude
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 21
With 31 points in its kitty, the Jammu Frontier of the BSF secured the first position while the Gujarat Frontier with 25 points and the Assam and Manipur Frontier with 24 points secured the second and third positions, respectively, in the BSF Inter Frontier Games-2011, which concluded here today.

At a glittering ceremony, IG, BSF, Jammu, AK Jain declared the sports meet closed. A colourful march past by sportspersons from all the frontiers of the BSF and a cultural programme by children of BSF School, Paloura, marked the valedictory function. Jain gave away medals to the winners.

World Iodine Deficiency Day observed
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 21
The Sub-district Hospital, Akhnoor, organised a health camp to observe World Iodine Deficiency Day yesterday.

Dr NS Bhatial, Block Medical Officer (BMO), Akhnoor, and Dr Ujalla Verma, Technical Officer, National Iodine Deficiency Disorder Control Programme, were the main speakers on the occasion. The camp was attended by a number of health workers and students.

School holidays from Oct 25 to 29

Jammu, October 21
All government and private schools in the Jammu division will remain closed from October 25 to 29 on account of pooja holidays.

According to an order issued by the Director, School Education, Jammu, all educational institutions recognised by the department shall observe pooja holidays from October 25 to 29. — TNS