SPECIAL COVERAGE
CHANDIGARH

LUDHIANA

DELHI


THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
image
J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R    E D I T I O N

Omar reiterates demand for AFSPA withdrawal
Jammu, November 9
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on the first day of the reopening of the Darbar in Jammu on Wednesday Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reiterated his demand for the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) from some peaceful areas of the state but this time he assured that a consensus would be involved on the issue.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on the first day of the reopening of the Darbar in Jammu on Wednesday. — PTI

MEETING OF Unified Headquarters
Army, BSF press for continuation of AFSPA
Jammu, November 9
The meeting of the Unified Headquarters here today failed to evolve a consensus over the partial revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some peaceful areas of the state.

Day one of Darbar
 BJP legislators protest anti-farmer policies
Jammu, November 9
On the first day of the opening of the Darbar offices here, BJP MLAs Choudhary Sukhnandan and Choudhary Sham Lal held protests in and outside the civil secretariat to highlight the plight of farmers of the Jammu region.


YOUR TOWN
Jammu
Srinagar


EARLIER STORIES


Students being herded into a police vehicle during a protest demonstration to gherao the Assembly in Jammu on Wednesday Students’ protest march against recruitment policy foiled
Jammu, November 9
On the first day of the Darbar reopening here after a gap of six months, the police converted the city into a fortress and used force to gag the voice of the student community.

Students being herded into a police vehicle during a protest demonstration to gherao the Assembly in Jammu on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma

BJP leader Ram kumar Gupta addresses mediapersons in Jammu on Wednesday BJP leaders from Ramban quit party
Jammu, November 9
After labelling serious charges against the state party leadership, BJP leaders from Ramban district quit the party today. Addressing a press conference here, Ravinder Singh, former president of the Municipal Committee, Batote, and Ram Kumar Gupta, member of the state working committee of the party, alleged that the present party leadership in the state was working at the behest of the NC.
BJP leader Ram kumar Gupta addresses mediapersons in Jammu on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma

Former MP Syed Hussain dead
Srinagar, November 9
Former MP Syed Mir Hussain died at his native place in Dooru Shahabad in Anantnag district today. He was 92. He is survived by four daughters and grandchildren.

Snowfall in Valley, highway closed
Srinagar, November 9
The Kashmir valley received intermittent rain while the upper reaches witnessed snowfall today, leading to the closure of the Srinagar-Leh National Highway.

Doda Mishap
Three more bodies recovered
Udhampur, November 9
Divers have recovered three more bodies as well as the wreckage of the Matador, which fell into the Chenab, near Thathri, in Doda district last Saturday. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the State Transport Authority has ordered an inquiry into the accident.

BSF sends children on Bharat Darshan tour
Srinagar, November 9
The BSF sent 38 children from remote areas of the Kashmir valley on an educational-cum-motivational Bharat Darshan tour of south and central India by air today.

Omar defends new recruitment policy
Jammu, November 9
Even as agitating students today vowed to intensify their ongoing stir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today strongly defended the new recruitment policy announced by the state government.

Governor greets people on Gurpurb
Jammu, November 9
Governor NN Vohra has greeted the people on the occasion of Gurpurb (birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev) and expressed hope that the auspicious occasion would prove to be a harbinger of sustained peace, progress and prosperity in the state.

Assembly prorogued
Jammu, November 9
Governor NN Vohra, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him under Section 53 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, has prorogued the state Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council.

Army sends 23 students on educational tour
Jammu, November 9
The Artillery unit of White Knight Corps sent 23 schoolchildren from Malpur in the Akhnoor area on an educational-cum-motivational tour today. Brig SJS Sangra, Commander of Artillery Brigade, flagged off the tour amid cheering by parents, teachers, students, Army personnel and civil dignitaries. It is being organised under the Operation Sadbhavana.

‘Tainted’ supply officer commits suicide
Jammu, November 9
Tehsil Supply Officer (TSO), Vijaypur, Jagdish Singh Jamwal, who was accused of misappropriation of ration meant for below poverty line (BPL) families, died in a hospital late last night after he consumed some poisonous substance.

Shabad kirtan in jail on Gurpurb eve
Jammu, November 9
On the eve of Gurpurb, the District Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (DGPC), Jammu, organised a religious congregation in the district jail, Ambphalla, here today.








Top








 

Omar reiterates demand for AFSPA withdrawal
Dinesh Manhotra
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 9
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reiterated his demand for the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) from some peaceful areas of the state but this time he assured that a consensus would be involved on the issue. Omar has also questioned the need for “protection” to the Army in areas where soldiers have not operated for years.

Interacting with mediapersons on the first day of the opening of the Darbar in Jammu, Omar disclosed that he had had telephonic discussions with the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on the issue.

“There would be an element of consultation which would continue,” he said.

“Subsequently at a future date, yet to be decided but not too far, the matter will be brought before the Cabinet for discussion. The necessary process of consultation on the revocation of the AFSPA is ongoing and beyond that I would not like to pre-judge what would be the conclusion,” Omar said.

Coalition partner Congress had expressed its strong reservations about the unilateral decision of the Chief Minister on revoking the AFSPA from some parts of the state.

When his attention was drawn towards the demand of the Army for legal protection in the insurgency-affected areas, Omar said that he was demanding revocation of the AFSPA from the areas from where the Army had not operated for many years. “There are places where the Army did not work for years. What is the need for protection when they have not worked in those areas?”

"We are not demanding revocation of the AFSPA from areas like Kupwara, Baramulla or Sopore. Our demand is to remove this Act from peaceful areas”, he argued.

“In areas where the Army has not worked for years, what is the problem in removing (AFSPA) from there?” Omar asked, pointing out that the Army had not conducted any operations in Srinagar and Budgam for long. “If we say we will wait for the last gun to fall silent then the time will never come to remove these things (AFSPA or Disturbed Areas Act),” the Chief Minister observed.

“We have the courage to take a bold decision which would have an overall positive impact. In the beginning, there would be difficulty but the ultimate results would be good,” he said.

He pointed out that when 40 security bunkers in Srinagar city had been removed, there had been similar voices of protest but today the situation was entirely different. Omar made it clear that he had not made any announcement on the AFSPA revocation at a public meeting.

Top

 

MEETING OF Unified Headquarters
Army, BSF press for continuation of AFSPA
Omar for more deliberations on the issue
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 9
The meeting of the Unified Headquarters here today failed to evolve a consensus over the partial revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some peaceful areas of the state.

Official sources told The Tribune that the meeting, though held in a cordial atmosphere, failed to arrive at a consensus over the AFSPA. Consequently, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasised the need for more deliberations over the issue in the days to come, they added.

The sources said the meeting had three agenda points — the overall security situation in the state, a strategy for the winter to deal with militants, including intrusion bids, and the partial revocation of the AFSPA.

“After discussing the first two issues, the security forces presented their views on the AFSPA to the Chief Minister. They, particularly the Army and the BSF, briefed Omar about the adverse impact the withdrawal of the AFSPA was likely to have on the counter-insurgency operations,” they added.

Citing examples, Army officers demanded the continuation of the AFSPA till the time was right for its revocation. The BSF also expressed similar views on the issue and stressed that the AFSPA should stay in the state. However, the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF, more or less, toed the Chief Minister’s line, said the sources.

The CRPF reportedly said it had no objection to the withdrawal of the AFSPA from some areas provided the state government introduced some clauses of the CrPC, which were at present applicable in other states, in Jammu and Kashmir so as to give some legal protection to its personnel. Jammu and Kashmir, it may be stated here, has the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). As anticipated, the police did not object to the withdrawal of the AFSPA. “For the Army it will become difficult to handle the situation if the AFSPA is removed,” said the sources quoting police officers.

The meeting, which started around 4.30 pm, lasted for more than three hours. Among others, the meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt Gen KT Parnaik; GOC, 9 Corps, Lt Gen AK Choudhary; 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.

Top

 

Day one of Darbar
BJP legislators protest anti-farmer policies
Dinesh Manhotra
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 9
On the first day of the opening of the Darbar offices here, BJP MLAs Choudhary Sukhnandan and Choudhary Sham Lal held protests in and outside the civil secretariat to highlight the plight of farmers of the Jammu region.


The police arrests a BJP MLA protesting against the anti-farmer policies of the state government, outside the civil secretariat in Jammu on Wednesday
The police arrests a BJP MLA protesting against the anti-farmer policies of the state government, outside the civil secretariat in Jammu on Wednesday. — PTI

Sukhnandan represents the Marh Assembly segment while Sham Lal is an MLA from Suchetgarh. The Marh and Suchetgarh areas are known for the high quality of basmati rice.

As the secretariat was to start functioning here today, the BJP MLAs wearing black vests arrived near the main gate of the secretariat and raised slogans against the state government for allegedly cheating the farmers of the Jammu region. They also tried to block traffic, especially the movement of VIP vehicles.

“This government is deliberately discouraging the farmers of the Jammu region. We will not tolerate this discriminatory policy of the government,” shouted Sukhnandan.

Before the arrival of the Chief Minister’s cavalcade at the secretariat, the police detained both MLAs and took them to the nearby police station. However, the MLAs continued with their protest even there.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani asked the agitating MLAs to reach his office to discuss the issue. They were taken to the secretariat in a police vehicle. The MLAs got infuriated when they did not find the minister in his office and started shouting slogans.

“This government is not interested in solving the problems of the farmers,” they said. However, they relented after the minister reached his office and held discussions with them.

Later Sukhnandan told The Tribune that rice growers of the Jammu region were facing hardships due to the apathetic attitude of the state government.

He alleged that officers of the Agriculture Department, in connivance with traders, were looting the farmers. Due to the lack of procurement centres, the traders were forcing the farmers to sell their produce at cheap rates. He said Wani had assured them that the problems of the farmers would be resolved at the earliest.

Top

 

Students’ protest march against recruitment policy foiled
Cops prevent protesters from reaching secretariat; 50 students detained
Archit Watts/TNS

Jammu, November 9
On the first day of the Darbar reopening here after a gap of six months, the police converted the city into a fortress and used force to gag the voice of the student community, which had given a call for “secretariat chalo” today. Nearly 50 protesting students were detained when they attempted to go near the secretariat this morning.

The students had given the “secretariat chalo” call to express their anger and show black flags to ministers and MLAs of the coalition government over the new recruitment policy. According to the new policy, all new recruits (non-gazetted) would get 50 per cent of the basic pay for the first two years of service and 75 per cent for the next three years, without even any allowances.

Anticipating a massive demonstration outside the secretariat complex on the Shalamar Road here, the police had made adequate arrangements by deploying a large number of cops to thwart any protest bid by the students.

To ensure a peaceful reopening of the secretariat, especially as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had organised a meet-the-Press programme, all colleges and University of Jammu (JU) were also closed today.

Though the students made several attempts to reach the secretariat complex in small groups, men in khaki prevented them from doing so. The police bundled the students, including girls, into jeeps and buses to take them to various police stations.

Not a single student carrying placards depicting anti-government slogans and demanding revocation of the “anti-youth” policy could reach near the secretariat, as all of them were detained near the city chowk, a few metres from the secretariat complex.

Chaos and confusion prevailed outside the university and colleges, as their entry points were closed today. Though a few people were allowed to come out of these institutions, none was allowed to go inside, which led to minor scuffles between students and the police.

Some teachers were also barred from entering the university campus. The “hide and seek” between the cops and agitating students continued throughout the day. All senior functionaries of the state government remained on their toes to stop students from going near the secretariat.

Meanwhile, a few students belonging to the Progressive Students’ Association (PSA) and the Gujjar and Bakarwal Students Association were detained after a minor clash broke out between the protesters and the police on the university campus. The clash broke out when the students tried to go out of the campus.

Some students alleged that the cops detained their leaders late last night.

Top

 

BJP leaders from Ramban quit party
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 9
After labelling serious charges against the state party leadership, BJP leaders from Ramban district quit the party today.

Addressing a press conference here, Ravinder Singh, former president of the Municipal Committee, Batote, and Ram Kumar Gupta, member of the state working committee of the party, alleged that the present party leadership in the state was working at the behest of the NC. They said a group of BJP leaders was working overtime to weaken the party.

The rebel BJP leaders claimed that they had the details of phone calls made by a senior party leader to senior leaders of the NC on the eve of the Legislative Council elections on April 13 in which seven of the 11 BJP MLAs had voted in favour of the NC and Congress candidates. “In the days to come we will make these phone call details public to expose those who had been given a clean chit by the party high command in the cross-voting controversy,” Ravinder said. They reposed faith in the leadership of BJP MLA Chaman Lal Gupta, who had been expelled from the party.

Prominent among others who resigned from the party included Sanjay Kumar, Jagdish Chand, Sudesh Kumar Pakhetra, Anil Kumar Gupta, Mulkraj, Ram Ditta, Desraj, Amit Bharti, Dheeeraj Singh.

Top

 

Former MP Syed Hussain dead
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 9
Former MP Syed Mir Hussain died at his native place in Dooru Shahabad in Anantnag district today. He was 92. He is survived by four daughters and grandchildren.

Hussain had been ill for the past about one month. He was the elder brother of a former Chief Minister, Syed Mir Qasim. Members of his family and close relatives were by his side when he died early this morning, family sources said. He was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard at Dooru Shahabad and a large number of people joined the funeral prayers.

A highly qualified and well-read man, Hussain had been a member of the state Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. He also remained the Chairman of the Legislative Council till 1975.

Governor NN Vohra mourned Hussain’s death and expressed sympathy with the bereaved family. He also prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in his condolence message from Jammu, described Hussain as a scholarly personality who throughout his life worked for the betterment of the people and the welfare of the state. Omar also highlighted the contribution of the late leader to politics, social service and economic development in the state.

Former Chief Minister and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed visited Duroo and personally conveyed condolences to Hussain’s family. Mufti said Hussain represented the whole time grace and charm in politics.

Top

 

Snowfall in Valley, highway closed
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 9
The Kashmir valley received intermittent rain while the upper reaches witnessed snowfall today, leading to the closure of the Srinagar-Leh National Highway.

While heavy snowfall on the upper reaches and rain and moderate snowfall in other areas of the Valley have been forecast, the temperature has slipped in the region as a minimum temperature of 5.2°C was recorded here last night.

The 434-km Srinagar-Leh highway was closed to traffic following the accumulation of heavy snow on Zojila Pass. Over one feet of snow was recorded at Zojila this morning, while the snowfall was continuing till the reports last came in.

The health and ski resorts of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg also witnessed snowfall and the temperature fell below zero degree during the past couple of days. The bad weather conditions were expected to continue for the next two days.

Top

 

Doda Mishap
Three more bodies recovered
Raju William/TNS

Udhampur, November 9
Divers have recovered three more bodies as well as the wreckage of the Matador, which fell into the Chenab, near Thathri, in Doda district last Saturday. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the State Transport Authority has ordered an inquiry into the accident.

Deputy Commissioner, Doda, Farooq Ahmed Khan told The Tribune that as bodies were being recovered regularly in the search operation, it would be continued till tomorrow. He said the search operation was being conducted by the divers of 9 Para of the Army and not the Navy as was being reported in the media.

The deceased, whose bodies were recovered today, were identified as Hawa Singh (33), a resident of Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, Aziz-Ur-Rehman (25), a resident of Lakhanipura Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, and Raif Ali (16), a resident of Bhunjwah in Kishtwar. With this the total number of bodies recovered so far has increased to 10.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the State Transport Authority, Dr Syed Mohammad Faziullah, has appointed Deputy Transport Commissioner Subash Chander as the enquiry officer to conduct a probe into the accident and submit the report to the office of Transport Commissioner within a week. The divers also retrieved the wreckage of the ill-fated vehicle though no body was found trapped inside it. Naib Tehsildar, Thathri, Ghulam Nabi said a total of 25 persons had been reported missing at the office of the Tehsildar, Thathri.

Top

 

BSF sends children on Bharat Darshan tour
Tribune News Service
A group of school students are all set to leave for a Bharat Darshan tour in Srinagar on Wednesday
A group of school students are all set to leave for a Bharat Darshan tour in Srinagar on Wednesday. Photo: Amin War

Srinagar, November 9
The BSF sent 38 children from remote areas of the Kashmir valley on an educational-cum-motivational Bharat Darshan tour of south and central India by air today.

The tour was flagged off by Minister for Medical and Technical Education, Youth Services and Sports RS Chib in the presence of DS Rathore, DIG, BSF, Kashmir Frontier.

During the tour, 18 girls and 20 boys from various remote areas of the Valley would visit Bangalore, Mysore, Amritsar, Hisar, Ajmer, Jaipur, Delhi and Agra. The tour has been organised with an aim to acquaint the children with the varied cultures and ethos of our country.

Top

 

Omar defends new recruitment policy
Dinesh Manhotra
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 9
Even as agitating students today vowed to intensify their ongoing stir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today strongly defended the new recruitment policy announced by the state government.

Chief Minister said that due to bad financial condition of the state, his government had no option but to either freeze recruitment or introduce a new innovative recruitment policy wherein the government could recruit youth on stipend with the guarantee of full-fledged employment benefits after a certain period of time.

Omar disclosed that the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission had put a huge burden on the state exchequer. He said keeping in view the financial condition of the state, the government was not in a position to give full-fledged employment benefits to a large number of youth. “Keeping in view the increasing number of unemployed youth, the state Cabinet has approved the new recruitment policy to appoint youth on stipend for some period before giving them full-fledged employment,” he said.

“The recruitment policy announced by the state government is in the interest of the youth of the state but, unfortunately, the department concerned has failed to explain it properly to the youth,” Omar observed and admitted that some misgivings had arisen among youth which were understandable.

He pointed out that earlier a similar recruitment policy had been announced in the Education Department in the name of Rehbar-e-Talim (ReT), which has been successfully functioning in the state.

Top

 

Governor greets people on Gurpurb
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 9
Governor NN Vohra has greeted the people on the occasion of Gurpurb (birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev) and expressed hope that the auspicious occasion would prove to be a harbinger of sustained peace, progress and prosperity in the state.

In his message of felicitations, the Governor described Guru Nanak Dev as an apostle of peace and tolerance. He added Guru Nanak Dev’s teachings would continue to inspire generations to come and lead them to the path of righteousness and brotherhood. He said Guru Nanak Dev had endeavoured all his life for securing social justice and equality for the people and bring about peace and harmony in society.

Hoping that the occasion would further strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, communal harmony and amity, the Governor prayed for the well-being of the people of the state.

Top

 

Assembly prorogued

Jammu, November 9
Governor NN Vohra, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him under Section 53 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, has prorogued the state Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council.

The Governor approved a proposal of the state government to this effect today.

Meanwhile, the Governor’s secretariat in Raj Bhavan reopened here today. The secretariat had closed in Srinagar on October 28.

Governor N N Vohra went around the various wings of the Raj Bhavan secretariat. — TNS

Top

 

Army sends 23 students on educational tour
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 9
The Artillery unit of White Knight Corps sent 23 schoolchildren from Malpur in the Akhnoor area on an educational-cum-motivational tour today. Brig SJS Sangra, Commander of Artillery Brigade, flagged off the tour amid cheering by parents, teachers, students, Army personnel and civil dignitaries. It is being organised under the Operation Sadbhavana.

The touring children would visit Chandigarh, Amritsar, Beas and Kapurthala in Punjab. They would visit Chhatbir zoo, Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, Rail Coach Factory and Science City at Kapurthala and Army Public School at Beas, besides the Wagah border and the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Brig Sangra, accompanied by Col Soumen Dutta, Commanding Officer of the Artillery unit, interacted with the students and their parents before their departure on the tour.

Speaking on the occasion, headmistress of Government Middle School, Chandian, Sarda Sharma said, “The tour will be educative and evocative for the participating children and will give them an opportunity to see the progress the country has made in the fields of technology and education.”

Top

 

‘Tainted’ supply officer commits suicide
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 9
Tehsil Supply Officer (TSO), Vijaypur, Jagdish Singh Jamwal, who was accused of misappropriation of ration meant for below poverty line (BPL) families, died in a hospital late last night after he consumed some poisonous substance.

An employee of the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department, Singh reportedly consumed some poisonous substance at his residence and was brought to Government Medical College and Hospital in a serious condition last evening.

The State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) had conducted raids at his residence on November 1. Sources said the TSO allegedly had assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The body was handed over to the family after the postmortem.

Top

 

Shabad kirtan in jail on Gurpurb eve

Jammu, November 9
On the eve of Gurpurb, the District Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (DGPC), Jammu, organised a religious congregation in the district jail, Ambphalla, here today.

A jatha of Bhai Davinder Singh recited the shabad kirtan while Bhai Ajitpal Singh threw light on the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev. Jail inmates participated in the celebrations. Dalip Singh, president of the DGPC, was also present on the occasion. — TNS

Top

 





HOME PAGE | Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Opinions |
| Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi |
| Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail |