The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Omar promises to restore peace, stability in state Tribune News Service Srinagar, December 5 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has reiterated his vow to restore peace and political stability in the state to give a meaningful push to development and seek economic prosperity for the people. “My endeavours will go on unabated in this direction,” he said, asserting that benefits of peace would reach people in all fields. He was addressing a public meeting at Kokernag in Anantnag district of south Kashmir after inaugurating the power grid station as part of the birth anniversary celebrations of the late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. To make people relish the fruits of peace, there would be no let-up in his struggle to gradually withdraw laws like the AFSPA from the state which had served their purpose, the Chief Minister stated. Taking a dig at PDP’s doublespeak, the Chief Minister said the party was talking in three different tones about the AFSPA at three different places — Srinagar, Jammu and Delhi. “While the party talks in favour of revocation of the Act in Srinagar, its leadership keeps mum about it in Jammu, and in Delhi, it makes revocation of the AFSPA subservient to the desire of the Army,” he said, challenging the PDP to speak in the same tone about the AFSPA in Srinagar as it speaks in New Delhi. He ridiculed the party for indulging in gimmicks to mislead the people. “People are wise enough to understand the designs behind the PDP doublespeak as they have experienced this characteristic of the party since its inception in politics,” he said, adding that the point of view advocated by him on the AFSPA would be maintained. “We will continue to work steadfastly on it,” he emphasised. Omar said his government had been consistently working on political stability and development. “The path-breaking initiatives taken and significant achievements registered by my government during the last three years are amply visible,” he said, adding that actions spoke louder than words. On The National Conference-Congress relations, Omar said the ties were cordial and would continue to strengthen with the passage of time. He said both parties were working jointly to achieve the goal of a peaceful and progressive Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Minister maintained that the NC and the Congress had cordial ties since the times of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. He said the coalition would further strengthen for the larger interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
	CM inaugurates slew of projects to mark Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniversary Tribune News Service Srinagar/Jammu, December 5 NC president and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah highlighted the role of the party’s founder leader and his father Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on his 106th birth anniversary, which was celebrated across the state today. Farooq Abdullah said the late Sheikh Abdullah worked for the prosperity and overall development of the state and its people even in the face of a lot of hardships. Sheikh fought against autocratic rule and paved the way for a democratic set-up for the overall development in the state. Farooq along with his son and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other senior party leaders visited the mazaar of Sheikh Abdullah at Hazratbal to offer prayers and floral tributes to the late leader. The celebrations of the Sheikh’s birth anniversary were marked with the inauguration of five development projects and laying of the foundation of a equal number of works by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah across the state today. Omar inaugurated district employment counselling centres at Ganderbal and Samba, a power grid station each at Lissar in Anantnag district of south Kashmir and Ramban, and tourist reception centre at Qazigund. Omar Abdullah laid the foundation of a degree college at Pampore, physical education college at Ganderbal, data centres at Bemina and Jammu, and a polytechnic college at Samba. In Jammu, tributes were paid to Sheikh Abdullah at a function at the Sher-i-Kashmir Bhawan. Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Qamar Ali Akhoon, Minister of State for Roads and Buildings Javed Ahmed Dar, legislators, former ministers, NC office-bearers and party leaders attended the function. Floral tributes were paid and a special prayer meeting was held in which priests of all religious communities prayed for eternal peace to the late leader. Akhoon said the Sher-i-Kashmir always stood for the unity and integrity of the country and worked for brotherhood and communal harmony among various sections of society. He added the doctrine of “Naya Kashmir”, as visualised by Sheikh Abdullah, was being translated into realty by his grandson, Omar Abdullah. Javed Ahmed Dar said peace with honour and dignity was restored and prosperity of all sections of society, especially the underprivileged and deserving classes, was ensured during the rule of Sheikh Abdullah. Ajay Sadotra, former minister and MLA, Ram Pal and Aslam Goni, both MLAs, Ajaz Jan, provincial NC president, Jammu, Rattan Lal, provincial NC president of women’s wing, Lakshmi Dutta, political adviser to Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah, and Bimla Luthra also spoke on the occasion. Senior NC leaders Nar Singh, Rashida Zubaida Salaria, Ram Saroop, Abdul Karim Wani, Shabir Salaria, Mehinder Singh, Balwander Singh, KD Singh and Daljeet Sharma were present at the function.
	Governor, Omar pay tributes to Karbala martyrs Tribune News Service Jammu, December 5 On the occasion of the anniversary of the martyrdom day of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today paid tributes to Hazrat Hussain and other martyrs of Karbala. In a message on the eve of Aashoor-e-Muharram, the Governor said Hazrat Hussain and his associates sacrificed their lives for upholding the high values of truth, justice and righteousness. He said their martyrdom reminded the mankind of the high principles of human dignity and morality. He added the underlying message in the sacrifices of the martyrs was that one should not deviate from the path of righteousness. Paying homage to the martyrs of Karbala, Omar said Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) symbolised the firm faith in Almighty, the high principles of righteousness and purity of thought and the highest degree of sacrifice to uphold truth and human dignity. Omar said Imam Hussain and his companions exhibited unparalleled courage and patience and made historical sacrifices at Karbala, which would continue to enlighten and guide the mankind forever.
	17 injured in bus mishap Tribune News Service Jammu, December 5 Seventeen members of a marriage party were injured when the bus they were travelling in skidded off the road and overturned on the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway in Kathua district yesterday, the police said today. The incident occurred late last night when the bus was on its way from Patyadi village in Kathua district to the Kotli Mandi belt of Samba district, they said. Three seriously injured passengers were admitted to Government Medical College and hospital here.
	BJP lends support to lawyers’ strike Tribune News Service Jammu, December 5 The state BJP extended support to the agitation of the Bar Association of Jammu today. President of the state party unit Shamsher Singh Mahas said, “The BJP has been receiving complaints from the people for the last few days that the ongoing strike of the lawyers has brought all work at courts to halt as the government has decided to shift the work of registration from courts to the Revenue Department. The government decision will rather complicate matters related to registration, causing inconvenience to the people.” Appealing to the NC-led government to address the demands of the striking lawyers immediately, Manhas said the people were suffering as all work in the courts had halted due to the lawyers’ strike. “The government should not make it a prestige issue and take immediate steps to ensure an early end to the lawyers’ strike, which is causing inconvenience to the public,” he added. Manhas demanded that the government order to vest powers of the registration of documents with executive officers be revoked.
	NC leader, supporters join PDP Tribune News Service Jammu, December 5 Welcoming an NC leader and his supporters into the party, PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said his party had emerged as the genuine, strong and credible voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir through its convictions and visionary policies. “The pro-people visionary agenda of the party has been formulated by incorporating the wishes and aspirations of all sections of society and we never compromised with our agenda for attaining power,” Mufti said while addressing a function to welcome NC leader from Poonch Shah Mohammad Tantary, who joined the PDP along with his supporters here today. Tantary had also fought the Assembly elections from Poonch as an Independent candidate. “It is the people who can ensure peace, security and development in their respective areas. Hence, with the power of the people I want to establish lasting peace in the region,” Mufti said and pointed towards the emergence of strong regional political powers in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other parts of the country. “After suffering deprivation and neglect for decades, all regions and subregions of the state, for the first time, had started tasting development with the change of guard in 2002,” he said. Mufti said his party had pioneered a political and economic agenda to establish sustainable peace in the subcontinent and to fulfil the wishes and aspirations of all regions and subregions of the state. He added the biggest achievement of the PDP was that it created a conducive atmosphere for initiating the peace process and taking the confidence building measures (CBMs) to normalise relations between India and Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion, Tantray assured the PDP leadership that he would work with dedication to spread the message of the party. Prominent among others who joined the PDP included Peerzada, Shahzad Malik, Ali Akbar Khan, Mohammad Akbar Daya, Choudhary Mohammad Shafi Malik, Choudhary Mohammad Yosuf, Dr Bashir Ahmed Malik and Raja Mumtaz Ahmed.
	Army imparts driving skills to Reasi youth Devinder Thakur Tribune News Service Reasi, December 5 The Army in a novel gesture has started a 21-day programme to impart training to rural youth aspiring to become professional drivers in Reasi district, where road accidents have claimed more lives than militancy. The training of the first batch of 20 youths started at Talwara today. The youths attending the training course belonged to Sarh, Tuksan, Shajru, Saldahar, Batoi, Gool and Gulbargh villages of the district. Col JS Kohli, Commanding Officer, 61 Rashtriya Rifles, inaugurated the course. In his keynote address, Col Kohli said, “The youth, who are being trained as professional drivers, will be first imparted training in driving in plains. After they acquire the requisite skills, they will be trained in driving light and heavy vehicles in hill areas.” “A team of qualified instructors from the Royal Institute of Driving and Maintenance, Jammu, will impart training in necessary skills to them,” he said. He added, “They will be provided driving licences after they passed the driving test.” According to local residents, many drivers plying public transport vehicles in the area were not fully trained. Officials also maintained that “faulty driving” is the major reason behind the increase in the number of road accidents every year. SSP, Reasi, KR Chourisya told The Tribune that road accidents in the district had claimed more lives than militancy this year. “The official data reveals that 48 person were killed in accidents in 2011 while no person died in militancy-related incidents in the year.” “Last year, road accidents claimed 30 lives, but the deaths in accidents were rising due to many reasons, including lack of trained drivers,” he added.
	Doda MLA demands action against ‘truant’ officials Raju William Tribune News Service Udhampur, December 5 Doda MLA Abdul Majid Wani has demanded action against district and sectoral officers of different departments for allegedly creating a bad impression about the performance of the NC-Congress coalition government by deliberately staying away from his official visits to his constituency. The demand came in the wake of the alleged absence of officers of the departments of Revenue, Agriculture, Horticulture, R&B, Handicraft, Science and Technology, Cooperatives, Tourism, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, and Industries and Commerce when Wani was on a tour of the Doda Assembly constituency. “Some officers behave as though they have some directions not to accompany the local MLAs in public meetings and try to create a misunderstanding between the coalition partners. The MLAs are representatives of the public as well as important government functionaries. All administrative departments should be directed to ask their district or sectoral officers to accompany MLAs during their tours of their respective constituencies, only then grievances of the people living in far-flung areas can be redressed,” said Wani, who has been elected on Congress ticket from Doda. While touring Mohalla Gundna in his constituency yesterday, Wani was accompanied by the DFO, Social Forestry; BDO, Gundna; BMO, Ghat, ZEO, Gundna; and sectoral officers of the PDD, and Social Welfare Department whereas officers of others departments failed to turn up. During the tour, the MLA inspected the road from Doda to Mohalla Gundna which is under construction. He expressed dismay over the slow pace of work on the 23-km stretch of the road from Jodhpur to Mohalla. Wani addressed public meetings at Jodhpur, Jatheli and Mohalla and issued directions to officers of the PHE Department to repair all water supply pipes damaged due to the construction work on the Doda-Mohalla road. Wani also expressed his dissatisfaction over the poor supply of electricity in the area. The area gets power supply for just three to four hours daily. Residents of the Gudna block have also been demanding new public health centres and dispensaries.
	Marathon winners honoured Tribune News Service Jammu, December 5 Winners of the 3rd Jammu Marathon, “Run for Jammu, Run for Pride”, were honoured at a prize distribution function here today. Chairman of the organising committee Anil Gupta handed over the cheques to the winners. He thanked the participants for showing true character of sportsmanship during the marathon. Ghulam Mohammad, a jawan of the 2 JAKLI, Mohammad Tariq, a jawan of the 2 JAKLI and Ram Raj, a SPO in the state police were given first, second and third prize in the men category, respectively while Mandeep Kour and Anjali Chowdary were given first and second prize in the women category. Charanjeet Singh and Prabjot singh received the consolation prizes in the sub-junior category.
	Speeding car kills minor girl Tribune News Service Jammu, December 5 A minor girl was killed and four others were injured when a speeding car hit them in the border village of Sheik Chak in RS Pura subdivision this afternoon. The deceased girl has been identified as Arti Devi (3), a resident of Chattisgarh. Driver of the speeding car Manish Kumar, a resident of Samba also sustained injuries in the accident. Other injured persons have been identified as Sunil Kumar, Sudesh Kumar and Gori Lal. The police said the girl was playing near a construction site where her parents worked. The speeding car ran over her, besides mowing down four passers-by and then plunged into a nearby canal. The injured were taken to Government Medical College and Hospital.
	Probe into cop’s death begins Tribune News Service Jammu, December 5 The police has initiated a departmental inquiry into the death of a police constable, Shahid Hussain Bhat, who was found shot dead at the home of a DSP here last Saturday. In this connection, two DSPs had been attached to the DIG, IRP, while a personal security officer (PSO) had been suspended, a senior police officer said today. “DSPs Daljeet Singh and Mohinder Singh of 11 battalion of the Indian Reserve Police (IRP) have been attached to the DIG, IRP, Jammu, and PSO Ajay Kumar has been placed under suspension,” he said.
	Babri Masjid demolition anniversary Need to empower Muslims, says Mufti M Aamir Khan Srinagar, December 5 On the eve of the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary, PDP patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed today called for a “focused follow up” of the Sachar Committee report on minorities. “The unfortunate demolition of the Babri Masjid had caused a deep wound to the psyche of the Muslims in India, but they have responded to it with exemplary aplomb and sense of responsibility. There should be a focused follow up of the Sachar Committee report as most of its recommendations remain unimplemented,” Mufti said here. Stating that the Muslims continued to face the socio-economic problems and most of them had been pushed to the lowest strata of society, Mufti said, “The Muslims have always reposed faith in India and its institutions and hence the government should empower them.” He said the Muslims of the country were a ‘politically powerful community’, but unfortunately their problems were dealt with in fits and starts mostly around the time of elections. “Instead of false promises there is a need to have a national policy for minorities, especially the Muslims, who constitute one of the most backward sections of our society,” he added.
	Panthers Party for reorganisation of state Tribune News Service Jammu, December 5 The Panthers Party today reiterated its demand for the reorganisation of the state along with necessary amendment to Article 370 of the Constitution. The party urged the Central government to take the step to pave the way for the creation of separate legislative assemblies in the Jammu and Kashmir regions with a provision for separate Chief Ministers, planning commissions, fund allocation etc. It criticised the Centre for “imposing the FDI on the nation”.
	Drive to remove encroachers from market turns ugly Our Correspondent Srinagar, December 5 A drive to clear roadside vendors at one of the main markets of the city turned ugly when shopkeepers resisted police action against them. This eventually led to stone-throwing and a shutdown by the protesting shopkeepers in the area. Eyewitnesses said street hawkers and shopkeepers, who had encroached on the narrow lane of Maharaji Bazaar, entered into a heated argument with the police team after they were told to clear the road. When the vendors refused to budge, the police used force to get the road cleared and that led to protests in the area. Some youths also threw stones at the police team, which retaliated with cane-charge. Even as the situation was brought under control, the Maharaji Bazaar shopkeepers observed a shutdown in protest against the police action. Shops in the adjacent Amira Kadal market, near the Lal Chowk in city centre, also kept their shutters half closed in protest. The free movement of vehicles as well as pedestrians at Maharaji Bazaar is hampered due to the presence of roadside vendors. The authorities despite many attempts in the past have failed to remove encroachers from the area.