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Omar likely to campaign for Congress in UP
Opposition’s oust-Omar chorus gets shriller
Holiday in colleges today as Darbar reopens in Jammu
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SC upholds HC order against land acquisition by housing board
Unified Headquarters meeting likely to discuss AFSPA today
NHPC Day celebrated at Kishtwar
Anil Kumar wins Nahoti-Sunderbani Kesari wrestling title
Exhibition of Army equipment begins
Geelani allowed to attend brother’s funeral prayers
Extend 73rd amendment to state, Centre urged
Eid-ul-Azha celebrations continue in Valley
Ban on processions
Devotees from Jammu leave for Nanakana Sahib
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Omar likely to campaign for Congress in UP
Jammu, November 8 Union Minister and NC president Farooq Abdullah has himself taken the charge of improving relations with the Congress and has reportedly given strict instructions to his party workers not to give any statement against the coalition partner. Sources in the NC told The Tribune that Farooq Abdullah had also directed ministers of his party to take Congress leaders into confidence on important issues. Besides involving the local Congress leadership in the decision-making process, the NC leadership has decided to further improve its relations with Congress. According to insiders in the NC, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his father will campaign for the Congress in the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. “It will be nothing new if the Abdullahs campaign for the Congress in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly poll. Being the coalition partner of the Congress, the services of the NC leadership can be taken by the party in other states also,” said JKPCC spokesman Ravinder Sharma, when his attention was drawn to reports that both Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah would campaign for Congress party in the UP elections. “As of now the NC is our valuable ally and the party high command will take a decision on how to utilise the services of allies,” he said and reminded that the Abdullahs had earlier also campaigned for the Congress in other states as well. “As our party is heading the government, the party has decided to discuss all policy matters with state Congress leaders before implementing the same,” NC sources said, adding that the party leadership had assured Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz that in future no policy decision would be unilaterally announced by the government. THe JKPCC chief had publicly displayed his anger against the unilateral decision taken by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to revoke the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) from some areas of the state. The Congress leadership was also annoyed over the recently announced new recruitment policy by the state government. Although Congress ministers had attended the meeting in which the policy was formulated, the party leadership has shown its displeasure about the policy. |
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Opposition’s oust-Omar chorus gets shriller
“There is total anarchy in the state and the ruling National Conference (NC) with the connivance of the Congress is brazenly looting the state. The one and the only way to save the state from the prevailing mess is to dismiss the present regime headed by Omar Abdullah,” said Panthers Party chief Bhim Singh while interacting with mediapersons here this afternoon. The PDP and the BJP have already been demanding the ouster of the Chief Minister, and now the Panthers Party has joined the campaign seeking the removal of the Omar Abdullah government for “legalising” corruption. Bhim Singh, who conducted a tour of the Kashmir valley last week, said resentment was brewing among all sections of society because this regime had failed to connect with the masses. “The state government is working against the interests of the people as corruption during the current regime has crossed all limits, and frustrated youth are on the streets protesting against the wrong policies of the government,” the Panthers Party chief alleged and urged Governor N N Vohra to dissolve the state Assembly and call for fresh elections. “On the one hand corruption has crossed all limits while on the other hand this government has undermined national interests,” he alleged. The BJP has also intensified its demand for the dismissal of the Omar Abdullah government to protect national interests and to save the state from anarchy. On the seventh day of the Jan Jagran Yatra, BJP leaders demanded that the dismissal of the Omar government was the only way to protect the state. “The present regime has failed at all fronts,” said state president of the BJP Shamsher Singh Manhas while addressing a series of public meetings in Ramnagar and Chenani areas. Echoing similar views, another BJP leader, Jugal Kishore Sharma, while addressing public meetings in the Sunderbani area of Rajouri district, termed the Omar-led government as the worst ever in terms of corruption. |
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Holiday in colleges today as Darbar reopens in Jammu
Jammu, November 8 The move, ahead of the opening day of Darbar offices, is being seen as an attempt to put a damper on the students’ march against the state government’s new recruitment policy. However, Jammu Divisional Commissioner Pawan Kotwal said the decision had been taken to avoid traffic congestion tomorrow in the wake of the opening of the Darbar Move offices here. “All colleges shall remain closed tomorrow to avoid traffic congestion as it is the opening day of Darbar Move offices,” said Kotwal. On the opening day of the Darbar Move offices, several organisations take out processions in the city. To avoid traffic congestion in the city, the government has declared a holiday tomorrow in government and private colleges across Jammu,” he added. The district administration has already imposed Section 144 of the CrPC around the civil secretariat to prevent any untoward incident. Various student organisations under the banner of the Youth of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh have given a call for “Secretariat chalo”. As part of the biannual Darbar Move, the civil secretariat and other offices will reopen here tomorrow. Offices of the civil secretariat, Raj Bhawan, state legislature and the DGP, which were moved from Srinagar to Jammu, will reopen amid tight security. The Youth of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh (YJKL), which has been spearheading the agitation for the past 10 days, seems to be undeterred by the government decision. YJKL chairman Suresh Ajay Magotra said, “We are determined to hold the ‘Secretariat chalo’ march tomorrow to lodge our protest against the “draconian policy” of the government. Students will show black flags to ministers and MLAs of the ruling alliance to give vent to their anger and compel the government to withdraw this policy, added Magotra. Magotra maintained that the YJKL would take the agitation to its logical conclusion. “It seems the government is afraid of us and now it is trying to suppress our movement but we will not rest till the new recruitment policy is revoked,” he declared. Earlier in the day, YJKL activists burnt an effigy of the state government outside the Jammu University campus. Meanwhile, the National Secular Forum (NSF), a Jammu University students’ body, has demanded that the government should withdraw the policy in the larger interest of the youth. Acting upon a PIL, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has already stayed the policy for three weeks. |
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SC upholds HC order against land acquisition by housing board
New Delhi, November 8 A Bench comprising Justices P Sathasivam and BS Chauhan ruled that it
was “in entire agreement” with the Jammu and Kashmir High Court’s two orders -- one passed by the single Judge on September 3, 2007, and the other by the Division Bench on May 21, 2009. The land owners affected by the board’s move “are permitted to file their additional objections, if they so desire, within 15 days from the date of receipt of this judgment”, the Bench ruled in the verdict delivered on November 4. The collector of the board should consider both the original and additional objections and also afford personal hearing to them at the Housing Board Office situated at Green Belt Park, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, and proceed further in accordance with law, the Supreme Court held. The board had taken possession of the land on September 3, 2004, after depositing a compensation amount of Rs 2.34 crore with the Baramulla District Judge as the land owners had refused to accept
the amount. Deputy General Manager, Housing Unit II, Srinagar, had taken possession. The apex court held that the acquisition had been made without following Section 4(1)(c) of the relevant state Act under which the preliminary notification should be published in two daily newspapers having the largest circulation in the locality of which at least one should be in the regional language. |
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Unified Headquarters meeting likely to discuss AFSPA today
Jammu, November 8 The meeting will be held at the Chief Minister’s official residence on Wazarat Road around 4 pm tomorrow. The Unified Headquarters meeting, on the first day of the opening of the Darbar Move offices in Jammu, is being held in the backdrop of a debate over the AFSPA following Omar’s statement last month that it will be withdrawn from some peaceful areas. The sources said the meeting, which would be attended by senior Army officers, would also discuss the security scenario in the state, counter-insurgency operations, cross-border infiltration, intelligence inputs and the strategy to deal with militants during the winter in the state. The GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt Gen KT Parnaik; GOC, 9 Corps, Lt Gen AK Choudhary; GOC, 14 Corps, Lt Gen Ravi Dastane; GOC, 15 Corps, Lt Gen SA Hasnain; GOC, 16 Corps, Lt Gen AS Nandal; DGP Kuldeep Khoda, the Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu and heads of the CRPF and the BSF would attend the meeting. The sources said Minister of State for Home Affairs Nasir Aslam Wani may also attend the meeting. They, however, said though the AFSPA may come up for a discussion, the Unified Headquarters was not empowered to take the final call on it. It may be recalled here that Lt Gen Parnaik during a tour to Teetwal in Kashmir recently had opposed the withdrawal of the AFSPA from even peaceful areas of the state. He had said without the AFSPA the Army would be handicapped to tackle Pakistan-sponsored militancy in the state. “If the AFSPA is removed from some areas, it will become difficult for the Army to operate in the manner as it operates now,” he had said. |
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Poultry products become dearer
Jammu, November 8 The wholesale price of chicken in Jammu region has increased from Rs 85 a kg last month to Rs 95-100 a kg, traders said. The price of eggs has also moved upwards. In the wholesale market, 100 eggs now cost Rs 323 as compared to Rs 300 last month. In the retail market, one egg is available between Rs 4 and Rs 5. “The price will rise further in the winter season, when the consumption of poultry products increases,” said Rawail Singh, a trader. He said the Eid festival and the rise in price of soyabean, a key ingredient in the poultry feed, have also caused a spurt in prices of poultry items. “A day-old chicken costs Rs 25, and takes almost one month to grow and attain the weight of about 1 kg,” added Rawail Singh. Officials in the Sheep and Animal Husbandry Department also accepted the fact that there was an increase in the prices of poultry products because of the rise in their demand. “Our state is dependent on other states for poultry products. We are putting in efforts to increase the local production, but the demand is also increasing, which becomes the reason for the price rise,” said Manzoor Ahmed, in charge of the poultry wing of the Sheep and Animal Husbandry
Department. |
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CPM protests against price rise, recruitment policy
Jammu, November 8 The rally started from Bikram Chowk and passed through the main bazaars of the city like Jewel Chowk, Gumat Chowk and City Chowk and culminated at Indira Chowk. A large number of party activists led by state secretary of the CPM MY Tarigami courted arrest. Tarigami, who is also the state president of CITU, criticised frequent hikes in the prices of petroleum products, which led to the overall inflationary trends, especially in food items. He said the government should refrain from raising the prices of petroleum products and LPG frequently. He also demanded an affective Lokpal Bill to check corruption. Speaking about the situation in the state, Tarigami said rampant corruption was prevalent in the state, which was bound to play havoc with the state. Om Parkash, general secretary of CITU, demanded an amendment to the Minimum Wages Act to ensure an universal coverage, the statutory minimum wages of not less than Rs 10,000 per month commensurate with the price index, the removal of all ceilings on the payment and illegibility of bonus, provident fund and an increase in the quantum of gratuity. Sham Prasad Kesar, regional secretary, CPM, Pawan Gupta, Ramesh Chand, Kishore Kumar
and others also addressed the protesters. |
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Shalamar shopkeepers fear the worst on Day 1 of Darbar
Jammu, November 8 While the Chief Minister usually addresses mediapersons about the plans and achievements of the government, the opposition and other organisations are noticeable by their protests outside the civil secretariat. Going by their experience, the shopkeepers of the area have decided to either keep their shops closed or will do so at even a hint of violence happening. Last year, BJP activists and members of several religious and social organisations had clashed with the police during a bandh call on the first day of the opening of the Darbar Move offices here. The situation had become tense after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statement questioning the accession of the state to India. In 2009, employees were up in arms demanding the implementation of the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission. Students organisations have given a Secretariat Chalo call this year. The BJP has also planned to stage a dharna. Though the police usually stops protesters from marching into the market area, it has to use rubber bullets, tear gas shells and water canons to control them, causing damage to the merchandise of the shopkeepers. The water canons also spoil clothes and food items in the shops. The police has set up barricades between the secretariat and the Shalamar Market road this time. Varinder Kumar, who sells electronic products in the market, said some shopkeepers had suffered huge losses due to the violence in the last few years. “This is the price we pay for being near the Secretariat,” he added. Rishab, who sells plastic goods, said the first day of the Darbar Move offices opening here had always been tense for them. “Many of us suffer losses due to the violence. But as it is the first day of the government in Jammu, we don’t want to keep our shops closed. We will keep the shops open till peace prevails.” Rakesh Kumar, another shopkeeper, said water canons caused extensive damage to goods. A police official manning the market said they would try their best to prevent civilian loss with the minimum use of force. |
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NHPC Day celebrated at Kishtwar
Udhampur, November 8 Rajeev
Hustu, general manager, NHPC Limited, who was the chief guest on the occasion, inaugurated the function by lighting a traditional lamp. He also inaugurated the NHPC Fete. In his address, Hastu highlighted the achievements of the NHPC since its inception and acknowledged the hard work put in by the engineers and other employees of the corporation to exceed the generation target by 243 million units during 2010-11. He said against the targeted generation of 1980.11 million units during 2011-12 the power station had generated 1,805.10 million units till date.
Hastu said under the CSR-CD programme, Rs 84.5 lakh was spent on various development works in and around the power station last year. This year, Rs 17.82 lakh had already been spent on various welfare schemes and a proposal for Rs 50 lakh expenditure on repairs and infrastructure in the area had been sent for approval to the NHPC authorities. Besides, a water-lifting scheme for augmenting water supply to Kishtwar town had also been completed at Rs 2.90
crore. It was ready to be operationalised, added Hastu. Students of Kendriya Vidyalaya presented a colourful cultural
programme. A lucky draw promising attractive gifts was also organised. NHPC employees and personnel of the CISF had put up stalls of food and games. Besides
Hustu, chief engineers Ajay Mathur and DK Dhar gave away prizes to the winners of the lucky draw. |
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Anil Kumar wins Nahoti-Sunderbani Kesari wrestling title
Udhampur, November 8 In the main bout, Anil beat Mukha of the BSF. Mukha hails from Dinanagar in Punjab. anil was given a cash prize of Rs 4,000 while the runners up got Rs 3,000 as reward. In the second main bout, Gulshan Kumar of the Jammu and Kashmir Police piped Rana from Himachal Pradesh. While Gulshan received Rs 2,500 as reward, Rana got
Rs 2,000. In the third bout, Prahald Singh from Sunderbani defeated Sukhdev Magotra of the Jammu and Kashmir Police to win Rs 2,000 as prize. Sukhdev was rewarded Rs 1,500. A total of 22 bouts were played in the day-long dangal, which attracted a large number of wrestling fans from the surrounding
villages. Shiv Kumar Sharma, president of the Jammu and Kashmir Indian Style Wrestling Association and member of the Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council, gave away prizes to the winners and the runners up. He reiterated the commitment of the association to promote the traditional form of wrestling in the state, especially in the rural areas, to channel the energy of the youth in a positive direction. He also complimented the Nahoti Dangal Committee for organising the event successfully. |
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Air Marshal reviews IAF’s operational preparedness
Jammu, November 8 Earlier on his arrival, the Air Marshal was received by Air Commodore Nitin
Sathe, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Jammu, along with all other senior officers. The Air Marshal visited various forward locations of Jammu in order to inspect the operational preparedness of the
IAF. He interacted with officers, Air Warriors, DSC personnel and the civilian staff of the Air Force Station Jammu. He visited various units and sections and expressed satisfaction over the way the station was being maintained on the operations, maintenance and administrative fronts. Air Marshal Kumaria also inaugurated a Centralised Internet Access Server
(CIAS) facility, which would help in maintaining the information security of the Internet browsing system from a single point. |
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Exhibition of Army equipment begins
Udhampur, November 8 The aim of the event was to provide an opportunity to users of various equipment in the Army to see innovated products and the maintenance agencies and the civilians to showcase technical products at a platform. In his inaugural address, Lt Gen Parnaik emphasised on the need for all personnel to have mental mobility, the spirit of innovation and out-of-box thinking in the present era of technology transition so as to effectively combine them with operational concepts for a proportional increase in combat potential and military effectiveness. According to a press not issued here, the event showcased innovated products in finished and rugged forms, ready for production and introduction along with various safety and security technologies available that could enhance the effectiveness of weapon systems and soldiers. |
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Geelani allowed to attend brother’s funeral prayers
Srinagar, November 8 Expressing condolences to Geelani on his brother’s death, a police spokesman here said no curbs had been imposed on his movement. “In fact Geelani met his ailing brother at the SKIMS Hospital around 10 pm on November 3, he said. “It is further stated that no cordon has been laid around Geelani’s house and he is free to attend the funeral prayers of his brother or move elsewhere,” the spokesman said. Geelani later left for Sopore around noon to attend the funeral. Meanwhile, the Dal Khalsa, Amritsar, has criticised the government for not allowing Geelani to offer Eid prayers. In a statement, party head Harchranjit Singh Dhami thanked Geelani for expressing solidarity with the victims of the anti-Sikh riots of 1984.
— TNS |
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Extend 73rd amendment to state, Centre urged
Jammu, November 8 According to a press note issued here, Pathanai demanded legislative, infrastructural and procedural reforms in the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act-1989. He said the concept of Panchayati Raj was the brainchild of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who had dreamt of bringing an absolute transformation at the village level by involving the people in the development and decision-making processes. He, however, added it was a pity that the said Act had been reduced to a “sham” in the state. Pathania also sought a comprehensive policy for the regularisation of the services of protesting special police officers (SPOs). He also demanded disability pension for SPOs.
— TNS |
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Eid-ul-Azha celebrations continue in Valley
Srinagar, November 8 While clashes between groups of youth and the police had taken place in Anantnag and Sopore towns and in the old Srinagar city after the Eid congregational prayers yesterday, the situation remained peaceful after these incidents. The Eid celebrations, which continue for two and a half days, would conclude by tomorrow noon. The state government offices were closed yesterday and today for the festival while business establishments and private offices are likely to remain closed tomorrow as well. |
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Ban on processions
Jammu, November 8 However, marriages and funeral processions are exempted from the purview of the order, which shall come into force from tomorrow for a period of two months or till it is rescinded, whichever is earlier. |
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Devotees from Jammu leave for Nanakana Sahib
Jammu, November 8 The devotees led by Gajan Singh left from the Baba Fateh Singh Ji Gurdwara at Gandhi Nagar in a bus and two private vehicles. Of the 163 persons, who had applied for visa for travelling to Pakistan, only 37 got the visa. However, 31 devotees left for Shri Nanakana Sahib last night. Amid chants of “Wahe Guru” the devotees left for Amritsar to join others from across the country to proceed for Pakistan
this evening. |
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Jammu, November 8
Jammu, November 8