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Rotation of Chief Ministership
Suspended BJP MLAs postpone rally
NC Worker’s Death in Custody
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Resolve issues of PoK refugees, says SOS International
Drug Trafficking
Demand for Kashmir apple rises
Army holds T-20 cricket tourney in Rajouri
JCCI team calls on Addl Commissioner, VAT
BSF school holds cultural event
PowerGrid Table Tennis Tourney
Woman hit by school bus dies
Mobile phone tower catches fire
HC allows BSF to prosecute officer
Literary function
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Rotation of Chief Ministership
Interestingly, the two warring factions of the Congress are now united on the issue of the rotation of chief ministership and they have stepped up their campaign against Omar for ignoring them. While the supporters of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Saifuddin Soz have started a campaign against Omar, the supporters of Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad have also joined the former in criticising the Chief Minister. Congress Sewa Dal chief Balwinder Singh Sambyal, who is a known Azad loyalist, has charged the Chief Minister with humiliating Congress workers. “The NC-led government is humiliating Congress workers, as it is not serious about resolving the issues raised by them regarding their respective areas,” he told The Tribune. He added during the last three years the NC had not given any importance to the Congress workers and had tactfully been strengthening its own base in the areas dominated by the Congress. Sambyal blamed the Chief Minister for his failure to check corruption and nepotism in the government. “Corruption has crossed all limits, but the government seems to be non-serious about checking the menace,” said another Azad loyalist Abdul Gani Vakil. Vakil had recently highlighted “large-scale corruption” in the state government. This is the first time that the pro-Azad leaders have come out openly against the Chief Minister. Earlier, only the pro-Soz faction complained about discrimination against the Congress workers. Last week, when Azad visited the Kashmir valley, some Congress workers raised the demand for the rotation of chief ministership and demanded that the Congress be given the charge of the government after January, 2012. Sources in the Congress said in the coming days the party workers would intensify the campaign for the rotation of chief ministership. “There is a consensus between the two Congress factions on the issue,” the sources said. |
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Suspended BJP MLAs postpone rally
Jammu, October 22 The suspended MLAs were expecting that they would be expelled from the party, but the party high command had not taken any decision in this regard so far. “We have postponed our rally for the time being,” Anil Gupta, former state vice-president of the BJP told The Tribune. He, however, asserted that the rally would be held in November. Anil is the son of former Union minister Chaman Lal Gupta, who was expelled from the BJP in May following the cross-voting controversy. A large number of Gupta loyalists have left the BJP, but they have not joined any other political party. The suspended MLAs have been operating under the banner of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Front, a non-political group, to keep their flock together and rope in more activists. “The formation of the
new party is almost certain, but it will be announced at an appropriate time,” Gupta said. Sources close to the rebels said the decision to postpone the rally was taken following the indecisiveness of the party high command on the fate of the six suspended MLAs, who had been served with show cause notices for their alleged involvement in cross-voting during the Legislative Council elections in April. “The rebels were expecting that all the six suspended MLAs would be expelled. This would have paved the way for them to join a new party without losing their seats in the Assembly,” the sources said. They added the BJP high command had withheld the decision for unknown reasons despite the fact that senior leaders had given it the go ahead to expel the suspended MLAs. The six suspended MLAs still treat Chaman Lal
Gupta as their leader in the Legislative Assembly. They have repeatedly reposed faith in Gupta’s leadership, throwing a challenge to the party leadership on the issue. |
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NC Worker’s Death in Custody
Jammu, October 22 A resolution was passed unanimously in this regard at the meeting of the state working committee of the BJP on the second day today. State BJP president Shamsher Singh Manhas presided over the concluding session of the working committee. During the eight sessions spread over two days, threadbare discussions were held over the present political situation in Jammu and Kashmir arising out of the NC worker’s death and the Chief Minister’s utterances regarding clemency for Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. The meeting also discussed a political resolution moved by Jitendra Singh containing the views of the party on a number of issues confronting the state and its people. Over 130 delegates from different parts of the state, including the Kashmir valley, also suggested some amendments and additions to the resolution. One of such amendments moved by the chief whip of the party, Ashok Khajuria, demanding Omar’s immediate resignation for his alleged involvement in the NC worker’s death, was passed unanimously. Earlier, the district prabharis and presidents presented detailed reports regarding the political and organisational activities being undertaken in their respective areas. Besides Manhas, RP Singh, Nirmal Singh, Ashok Khajuria and MLA Jugal Kishore Sharma also expressed their views over a number of issues. |
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Resolve issues of PoK refugees, says SOS International
Jammu, October 22 On October 22, 1947, the Kabailis from Pakistan invaded Muzaffarabad (now in PoK) and attacked other parts of Jammu and Kashmir. A large number of people lost their lives while fighting the invaders to defend the integrity of the country. While paying tributes to the martyrs, Rajiv Chuni, chairman of the SOS International, said the attack on Jammu and Kashmir compelled the locals to flee from their native places in thousands, leaving their kith and kin dead and wounded. “A large number of people fled and they had to live a life of misery and poverty in Jammu and elsewhere in the country. These refugees from the PoK had not been able to settle down till date. Their issues had not been addressed and they continued to live in camps,” said Chuni. He said for the last 64 years the PoK refugees had been ignored by the successive governments for the grant of the status of bona fide permanent resident. Chuni added the refugees were entitled to the privileges bestowed on the state under the Indian Constitution. Chuni said the Central and state governments had remained mute spectators to the misery of the PoK refugees. “There is no precedence in the world where a native becomes a refugee in his own country or state,” he chided. He regretted that successive governments at the Centre and in the state for the last 64 years failed to resolve the problems of the refugees. Other speakers also made a strong appeal to the state and Central governments to adopt a positive attitude towards their problems. A two-minute silence was also observed at the end of the function. |
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Drug Trafficking
Jammu, October 22 In a statement issued here, Gupta said more than
12 cases of drug smuggling through the road had been reported in the last three months. This was a cause for concern for the people of Rajouri and Poonch districts. He demanded a check post be established at Peer Ki Gali for the purpose. Gupta said though the Mughal Road had opened a portal for economic growth, the route was also proving to be fatal for the social and cultural life of the people of Rajouri and Poonch districts. He added the people of the two districts could not accept growth and development at the cost of the social and cultural life. “We came to know that more than 12 cases related to drug smuggling through the Mughal Road have been reported during the last three months and drugs are being supplied to the area from Kashmir in a large quantity,” Gupta said. He added a few days ago a drug trafficker from Kashmir had sent charas sandwiched in rishta (meat) to Rajouri. Demanding the establishment of a special check post for the purpose, Gupta said, “This is a serious matter and the police must act to curb this evil before it spreads in the area,” Gupta said. He demanded that drug traffickers be booked under the Public Safety Act. |
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Demand for Kashmir apple rises
Jammu, October 22 They said though untimely rain this year decreased the apple production all over the country, including Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, but the overall demand for the
fruit increased. “The overall demand for apple has increased, but its production has been much less. Usually, there is a huge demand for apple from Himachal Pradesh, but due to a fall in the production in the neighbouring state our produce is fetching a good price and we are also receiving bulk orders from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and even Himachal Pradesh,” said, Mohammad Javed Khan, Director, Horticulture, Planning and Marketing. He said, “Earlier we used to sell most of our produce at the Azadpur market in Delhi. So far, this season, we have sent nearly 35,000 truckloads of apple to other states and covered about 114 cities this year. A carton of 16 kg of apple, which we sold at Rs 230 to Rs 250 last year, was now fetching around Rs 500 to Rs 550,” said Javed Khan. He added, “We have exported apple to Bangladesh and Nepal too.” Javed Khan said though the apple production was less in the state the fruit growers were earning huge profits. “We have also sent the ‘C’ grade fruit to the juice manufacturing units in Punjab. The entire produce will be sold and the fruit growers will have nothing to worry,” he added. He said the apple season would last till December-January. |
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Winter knocking at Kashmir’s door
Srinagar, October 22 Many people could be spotted in woollens and traditional tweed over-garments known as “Phirans” to brave the cold. “A western disturbance is at present active over the state. We are expecting rain in the plains and light to moderate snowfall on the higher reaches during the next two days,” Sonam Lotus, Director of the Meteorological Department, told IANS. “It is advisable that people intending to undertake a journey on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway must travel with caution as light to moderate snowfall, expected tonight (Saturday), can block the highway. The present weather conditions are expected to continue till Sunday, after which there will be improvement,” Lotus said. “The minimum temperature was 5.2°C in Srinagar on Saturday while it fell to minus 0.5°C at the Gulmarg ski resort,” said another official at the weather office. “The minimum temperature was 3°C in Qazigund and 1.4°C at the Pahalgam hill station,” he added. — IANS
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Army Public School, Srinagar, holds first alumni meet
Jammu, October 22 He was delighted to learn that former students of the school were doing extremely well and were placed in the best institutions across the country. The principal was also pleased to learn that the former students had come from all over the country to participate in the meet. Among the former students, many were studying in the IIM, Ahmedabad, while some were pursuing MBA and others higher studies in Noida, Mumbai and Pune. Many former students had made it to the Army and some were working in the corporate world. — TNS
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Army holds T-20 cricket tourney in Rajouri
Jammu, October 22 It was played on the knockout basis and teams from Saaz, Basoni, Manjakote and Hanjanwali participated. The teams were sponsored by the Rashtriya Rifles battalions under the aegis of the Sector Rashtriya Rifles. The team from Saaz won the tournament by
defeating the Hanjanwali team by seven wickets today. The final match was witnessed by fans of both teams and eminent personalities. The semifinals were held on October 20 and 21. The Commander of the Rashtriya Rifles was the chief guest on the occasion. He gave away prizes to the winning and the runners up teams. He said the Army was working on giving space and direction to the youth for achieving excellence in sports. The locals appreciated the initiative of the Army to promote T-20 cricket among the local people. The aim of the tournament was to provide the budding cricketers a platform to display their cricketing skills and also to foster the spirit of brotherhood, goodwill and healthy competition among the youth. |
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JCCI team calls on Addl Commissioner, VAT
Jammu, October 22 Koul gave the delegation a patient hearing and assured it that the officers of the Commercial Tax Department would facilitate the dealers. He said he was of the firm view that no dealer should face harassment at the hands of the officers of the Commercial Tax Department. Koul issued instructions to all Commercial Tax Officers concerned to be friendly with the dealers and help them in their trades during the festival season. Some cases lying pending in the department were disposed of and documents released. The delegation comprised Tara Chand and Deepak Aggarwal, senior vice-president and treasurer of the JCCI, respectively. |
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BSF school holds cultural event
Jammu, October 22 The competition was held in the senior and junior categories. The students belonging to Raman House, Nehru House, Gandhi House and Tagore House of the school enthralled the audience with impressive performances. Akriti Uppal clinched the first prize in the junior category, while Megha Kalsi and Afsana stood second and third, respectively. Ambika and Shivakshi Joshi bagged the first and second positions, respectively, in the senior category, while Shushmita stood third.
— TNS |
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PowerGrid Table Tennis Tourney
Jammu, October 22 Ronnel defeated J Mukherjee by 11-4, 9-11, 11-4, 11-9 and 11-8, in a thrilling final to clinch the singles championship at the MA Stadium here. Earlier, Ronnel and Rao beat Mukherjee and RS Bisht by 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6 to lift the doubles title. The prizes and medals were given away to the players and the match officials during the closing ceremony, which was chaired by SC Singh, Executive Director, NRTS-II. SC Singh congratulated the winners and encouraged other players to perform better in future. |
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Woman hit by school bus dies
Jammu, October 22 She was taken to the government district hospital, Gandhi Nagar, and later to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here. However, she died
at the GMCH after some hours. The police has registered an FIR in the case and arrested the driver, Udhay Kumar, and impounded
the bus. |
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Mobile phone tower catches fire
Jammu, October 22 Consequently, the school was closed as a precautionary measure. Two fire engines were pressed into service to extinguish the fire. Meanwhile, the residents have demand that the tower be shifted from the area. |
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HC allows BSF to prosecute officer
Jammu, October 22 Justice JP Singh upheld the order of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, which had given the BSF an option to try the accused Commandant RK Birdhi and constable Lakhvinder Kumar in the GSFC under Section 47 of the BSF Act. The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the state government and the counsel for the family of the deceased boy, who had contested that since the accused BSF personnel were not on active duty, they should be tried in a civilian court.
— PTI |
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Literary function
Jammu, October 22 The papers reading will be followed by poetry recitation, Sheikh Mohammad Kalyan, president of the organisation, said. |
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Jammu, October 22