|
|
|
|
|
Alleged Cross-voting in RS elections
We need more training, men to replace Army: DGP
Kamal’s utterances against Army intolerable, says Congress
|
|
|
Patriotic fervour marks Army Mela at Mendhar
Tributes paid to Parliament attack martyrs
Mankotia holds public meetings
Governor visits Naval War College
Political buzz
Habitual traffic violators to face heavy fines
Army donates furniture to nine schools in Rajouri
3 militants arrested
Students apprised of education options abroad
Geelani to move court against Home Minister
20 charge-sheeted in Tangmarg arson case
|
|
Alleged Cross-voting in RS elections
Jammu, December 13 While addressing a press conference here today, four BJP MLAs, who had been given a clean chit in the cross-voting controversy, said they were not aware what happened in the Rajya Sabha elections in 2009. “I don’t think there is any need to rake up a controversy about an old issue of February, 2009,” argued the chief whip of the BJP Legislature Party Ashok Khajuria. In an attempt to counter the charges levelled by the expelled MLAs, Khajuria said it was surprising that they (expelled legislators) remained silent for more than two years. Asked whether a lenient approach adopted by the party high command in 2009 was responsible for the MLAs resorting to cross-voting in the Legislative Council elections, Khajuria said, “It is up to the party leadership to take action. I do not know why the high command had not taken any action if one MLA, as alleged by the rebels, had indulged in cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections.” The four legislators, who had been given a clean chit, claimed that the people knew who voted in favour of the NC and Congress candidates in the Legislative Council elections. “We do not need a certificate from those who have been expelled from the party on the charge of cross-voting,” said Khajuria. He added the party would be strengthened after the expulsion of the “tainted MLAs”. Jugal Kishore Sharma, claiming himself to be the Leader of the BJP Legislature Party, said the decision to recommend the disqualification of six MLAs (barring Chaman Lal Gupta) from the Legislative Assembly was taken after considering all aspects. “Being the Leader of the BJP Legislature Party I have all powers to recommend the disqualification of any party MLA for violating the whip of the party,” he claimed. Choudhary Sukhnand, MLA from Marh, and Sham Choudhary, MLA from Suchetgarh, were also present at the press conference. Five of the seven MLAs expelled by the BJP have triggered a controversy by accusing Jaitley of “forcing” legislators to vote for Farooq. Following their expulsion from the party, the rebel MLAs have kick-started an aggressive campaign against the four MLAs, who were given a clean chit in the cross-voting controversy, to expose them in public for allegedly adopting double standards. Besides challenging the decision of the party in court, these legislators have been saying they have been made scapegoats to protect an MLA, who has cordial relations with the NC. |
||
|
We need more training, men to replace Army: DGP
Though the police is in the process of enhancing its capabilities to take over the responsibility of countering militancy and it has raised five battalions this year, it still needs about 40,000 more personnel for effective presence and domination in the state. While refusing to link the issue with the debate on the AFSPA, DGP Kuldeep Khoda, in an exclusive chat with The Tribune, said the police needed more men and machinery for effective domination over a region like the Army. “We are on the way to achieve that. But we need about 50,000 personnel against the present strength of 31,000 of the armed police. And the civil police has to go beyond one lakh from the present strength of 82,000.” The DGP said the police was capable of handling any responsibility but for the complete takeover of the responsibility to counter militancy, training, capability and infrastructure were also needed to be enhanced. The militant attack on Law Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar in Srinagar two days ago has brought new focus to the demand for the revocation of the AFSPA. While the opposition parties, especially in Jammu, view the attack as testimony to their demand for the need of the Army in the state, others question why the AFSPA could not stop the attack. Army sources say the fight against militancy had always been a joint effort of all security agencies. “The unified operations made the fight against militants successful. The Army and the police can never alone claim credit for it. But everyone knows which is better trained and equipped for counter-insurgency operations.” Well-known defence analyst Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal (retd) said even if the police had the required strength it could not take on the enemy which was well trained in modern warfare. “The police has a soft role to play. It deals with civil society. The Army is trained to kill the enemy. Terrorists are motivated to kill. Only a better trained, better battle-hardened security agency like the Army can handle them face to face.” Maj Gen Jamwal said the militant attack on the Law Minister testified that militancy was not yet over. “We have less attacks because the AFSPA is there. Just imagine if there is no AFSPA, how many such attacks could happen?” |
||
|
Kamal’s utterances against Army intolerable, says Congress
Jammu, December 13 Kamal, while speaking about the attack on Sagar, yesterday said, “As long as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) continues in Jammu and Kashmir, the Army cannot be absolved of its involvement in such incidents.” Kamal was sacked from the post of additional spokesman for the NC for his “irresponsible” statements against the Congress and the Army. “Mustafa Kamal’s statement regarding the attack on Sagar is intolerable and irresponsible,” Ravinder Sharma, spokesman for the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), said. Sharma said the Congress leadership would take up the matter at the appropriate platform. “It is unfortunate that Kamal, a senior NC leader, is continuing with his tirade against the Army and the Central government,” he regretted. Sources in the Congress said the local leaders had lodged a protest with the party leadership and asked it to take up the matter with the NC leadership. The local Congress leaders had also brought the matter to the notice of PCC chief Saifuddin Soz, the sources said. They added the leaders had also decided to devise a strategy to counter such irresponsible statements of the NC leader. Making a veiled attack on the Congress for opposing the revocation of the AFSPA, Kamal had said the clouds of controversy and suspicion would continue to hover over the Army and other security agencies as long as the AFSPA was not withdrawn from the state. |
||
|
Daughter paints Faiz’s poems on canvas
Jammu, December 13 “It’s as though each tree is a temple ruined, unlit, old seeking, for long, justification for its decadence……the sky a priest, sits under each terrace, body smeared with ash, forehead hued with vermillion, head drooping mute…..now this night will never pass, nor dawn ever break….some idol come alive, some dusky beauty unveil her face.” This is how Shiv K Kumar has translated “Shaam (Evening)” into English, a reminiscent poem by Faiz. Many such poems, which evoke various images in the minds of the readers, have been
put on canvas by Faiz’s daughter. “When I paint I do not keep in mind a particular poem or verse of my father. I just start painting and his poems start emerging on canvas piece by piece,” Salima says. She recalls about Dast-e-Tah-e-Sang, a poetry volume of Faiz that was published in 1965, “I remember my father telling my mother that the term Dast-e-Tah-e-Sang has been coined by Ghalib. He was explaining to us all lines of the poems in his new book so evocatively that they are permanently etched in my memory. It seems I have absorbed the essence
of every poem he narrated to us.” “When there is some kind of hope associated with your life, it is likely to inspire your work. This is the reason that his poems shine in the colours I paint on the canvas,” she says. She adds, “A new book, ‘A Song For This Day’, by Shoaib Hashmi, having the English translation of 51 poems of my father, also carries my painting in the backdrop of each poem on each page.” Salima recalls that as a child she was more fascinated by colours than words. She says people usually ask her if she ever expressed her feelings in poems. And she still gives the naive answer that her father once suggested to her (when she was a child) that “one poet is enough
for a family”. |
||
|
Patriotic fervour marks Army Mela at Mendhar
Jammu, December 13 The Commander, Bhimber Gali Brigade, inaugurated the mega event. It was held to honour the ex-servicemen of the region and create awareness about the Army among the local population. A large number of Army officers and civil dignitaries were present on the occasion. The celebrations were resplendent with patriotic fervour. Major R Thakur (retd), Director, District Soldier Board, Rajouri, addressed the ex-servicemen and briefed them on their entitlements. A number of stalls were also set up by various agencies of the Army and the civil administration with an aim to spread awareness among the local population about recruitment procedures, education facilities and information about various welfare schemes of the Army and the civil administration. The local people came out in a large number and was mesmerised on witnessing a wide continuum of thrilling events. To add colour to the event, a cultural show was also presented by local schoolchildren. |
||
|
Tributes paid to Parliament attack martyrs
Jammu, December 13 Speaking on the occasion, chief guest of the
function Surinder Shingari said the nation should never forget the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives in the militant attack on Parliament on December 13. Bhushan Lal, chairman of the JKFFA, said, “We appeal to the youth of the state to come forward and provide a strong leadership. To pay tributes to the martyrs, all of us should contribute to the fight against militancy.” |
||
|
Mankotia holds public meetings
Udhampur, December 13 Residents of various localities highlighted their problems and demands related to development works and requested the MLA to resolve them on priority. After listening to the people of his constituency, Mankotia issued on-the-spot instructions to various officials to address the issues immediately. He assured them that the Riti-Barta Water Supply Scheme would be completed at a cost of Rs 3.48 crore by March, 2012. The work on the Ritti-Kupralla road under the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) would also be started soon. The project would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 6.25 crore, he added. Mankotia, accompanied by various officials and the local people of the area, inaugurated newly upgraded Government High School at Ritti village. He also visited different wards of Udhampur town, including ward number 5, 14 and 17, and ordered the officials concerned to start construction work on different lanes. Sarpanches and panches of various panchayats were present on the occasion. |
||
|
Governor visits Naval War College
Jammu, December 13 The Governor addressed the participants of the Naval Higher Command Course, which is meant for training middle-level officers of the Indian Navy and other armed forces, in the higher direction of war, strategy and operations. This was followed by a question-answer session with the participants on various aspects of their training. Twenty-three officers from the Navy, three from the Army and two from the Indian Air Force are participating in the ongoing 24th Naval Higher Command Course.
|
||
|
Political buzz
Jammu, December 13 Addressing a public meeting in the Kotranka area of Rajouri, Mehbooba said the PDP had proved how a change could be brought about in the lives of the people even with a fractured mandate and in a short span of time. She added the people had realised “what good governance was” only after experiencing the positive impacts of the previous PDP-Congress government on their daily lives and they, henceforth, would not compromise on the quality of governance. BJP leaders meet Pawan Kotwal A delegation of the BJP called on Divisional Commissioner Pawan Kotwal in Jammu on Tuesday and apprised him about the burning down of an ancient religious place in the Galadhar Top area of Doda tehsil on the intervening night of December 9 and 10. The delegation comprised senior party leaders Dr Nirmal Singh, Bali Bhagat and CL Thakur. It alleged that the Doda police had not taken any action in the case in the last four days, leading to protests by the residents of Batote and Doda. Attack on Sagar an eyeopener: Gupta Expelled BJP legislator and former Union minister Chaman Lal Gupta has condemned the militant attack on Law and Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar and said it should serve as an eyeopener for those who talk about lowering guard on the issue of security. ‘Deserving students denied scholarships’ The Akhil Bharatiya Gujjar Mahasabha on Tuesday alleged that deserving students were not getting scholarships under various state and centrally-sponsored schemes. A meeting of the sabha was held under the chairmanship of Eshfaq-ur-Rehman Poswal. The speakers at the meeting regretted that the scholarships meant for poor students were being misappropriated. They referred to the case of Lolab tehsil in Kupwara district in this regard. BJYM holds protest On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Parliament attack, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), youth wing of the BJP, organised a protest at Rehari Chungi Chowk in Jammu on Tuesday. Led by state party president Munish Sharma, the protesters raised slogans against the state and Central governments for their soft policies towards anti-national elements. Parliament attack martyrs remembered Activists of the Youth Congress, under the leadership of RS Pathania, paid floral tributes to the martyrs of the Parliament attack. They said the delay in deciding the mercy petition of Afzal Guru had not gone down well with the people of the country. |
||
|
Habitual traffic violators to face heavy fines
Jammu, December 13 Undeterred by stiff opposition in the recent past, the Traffic Police Department has also planned to treat any kind of road violation as a “criminal offence” wherein cases under Section 307 of the RPC will be registered against erring drivers, particularly those found indulging in rash driving and using mobile phones while driving. “The Delhi Government has decided to impose heavy penalties on traffic violators and habitual offenders. We, too, have decided to enhance the on-the-spot penalty against the traffic violators and they will be charged Rs 500 even for minor offences,” IGP, Traffic, Hemant Kumar Lohia said. The IGP said the department would not spare the ‘habitual’ offenders and initiate ‘strict’ action against them. “If a person continues to violate traffic rules, his or her driving licence will be cancelled permanently,” he said. He added, “The purpose of imposing a heavy penalty is to infuse a sense of responsibility among the people to follow the road safety norms.” “If any person is caught using a mobile phone
while driving a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler, the minimum challan will be Rs 1,500. In the recent past, we have witnessed that road mishaps occur because drivers use mobile phones while driving,” the IGP said. He added, “Any habitual offender in this category may also lose his or her licence permanently.” According to the
existing arrangement, two-wheeler riders driving without a crash helmet are fined between Rs 100 and Rs 200 and drivers using mobile phones are fined anything between Rs 500 to Rs 700. Lohia said, “As far
the problems of rash driving and overloading in hill areas are concerned, we will not spare the
guilty drivers, particularly the habitual offenders, and they will be booked
under stringent laws. Traffic violations need to be treated seriously and these should be made into a criminal offence”. “The department has
also sent a proposal to the government for the purchase of three “traffic intercept vans”, having radars fitted with computers to check rash driving and initiate action against the people driving under the influence of alcohol,” the IGP said. |
||
|
Army donates furniture to nine schools in Rajouri
Jammu, December 13 The functions to donate furniture and other things were conducted at Nadiala, Duranigalla and Andrut over four days. More than 900 children have benefited from the initiative. “This will improve the infrastructure of the schools and motivate our children to achieve excellence in studies,” said Sahibdin, headmaster of Government High School School, Andrut. Zaman, sarpanch of Andrut village, while speaking on behalf of parents and dignitaries, lauded the efforts of the Army in improving the infrastructure of the schools in the remote areas. Brig Rajeev Sirohi, Commander, Tithwal Brigade, urged the schoolchildren to enhance their quest for excellence in knowledge and aspire to compete with the best. |
||
|
3 militants arrested
Srinagar, December 13 A joint team of the Baramulla police and 52 Rashtriya Rifles apprehended two militants during a vehicle checking near Muqam Crossing. The militants have been identified as Mohammad Rafiq Lone of the Hizbul Mujahideen and Ejaz Ahmad Shah of the Al Baraq. Two pistols, two magazines and six pistol rounds were seized from their possession. A case has been registered. In another incident, the Pattan police and 29 Rashtriya Rifles arrested Hizbul Mujahideen militant Mohammad Yousuf Bhat along with his wife, Shahnaz Bibi, near Rangee Mode. One revolver, three rounds and one hand grenade were seized from Bhat’s possession. A case has been registered in this regard. The police said the arrested militants were locals while Shahnaz was a resident of Chinari at Muzaffarabad in Pakistan, who along with her husband had infiltrated into the Valley recently.
|
||
|
Students apprised of education options abroad
Jammu, December 13 Dr Perminder Cheema, former Principal of Government Degree College, Ramban, and a visiting lecturer at the University of Australia, was the resource person. She dwelt in length on her journey from Jammu to Australia and shared her experiences with the students. She also talked about the basic difference between the education pattern in India and abroad and apprised the students of various education options that were available abroad and how those options could make a difference in their lives. Principal of GCW Kiran Bakshi also spoke on the occasion. |
||
|
Geelani to move court against Home Minister
Srinagar, December 13 “The police has seized our calendars and diaries of 2012 at seven news agencies across the Kashmir valley. We have decided to move court against the Home Minister, the DGP, the IGP and the SSP, Budgam, in this regard. We are hopeful that we will get justice in the court,” Geelani said while addressing a press conference at his Hyderpora residence. However, he did not mention the dates when he would file a case in the court. Geelani claimed that the content of the calendars and the diaries was “apolitical” and contained only Islamic teachings. “It contains no inflammatory content,” he said. “The police even detained the owners of the news agencies where the copies had been sent. We do not understand the logic behind this action at a time when the government claims there is freedom of expression here,” he added. Geelani alleged the police was targeting his party workers for circulating the calendars and the diaries. He criticised the government for placing him under house arrest regularly. “I had returned to Srinagar from New Delhi on March 4 this year and since then barring a few days I had been under house arrest,” he said. |
||
|
20 charge-sheeted in Tangmarg arson case
Srinagar, December 13 Fifteen persons were produced before the court and charge-sheeted along with five dead persons for crimes punishable under Sections 307, 436, 147, 148 and 149 of the RPC. The Baramulla police presented the chargesheet in the court for causing damage to the public property, which led to the death of at least six persons in firing by the security forces. The incident took place when an unruly mob at Tangmarg damaged various government buildings, including the Tehsil Office Complex, the Animal Husbandry Department building, the Social Welfare Office building, the Tyndale Biscoe School building, a police spokesman said here today. About 20 persons were killed in clashes between protesters and the security forces in different parts of the Valley on September 13 last year after a foreign TV channel showed a footage of an alleged sacrilegious act being committed in the US. An all-party delegation led by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had also visited Tangmarg town on September 22 last year. During the course of investigation, the accused persons, who led the protesters and orchestrated arson, were identified through photographs, video clips and eyewitness accounts, the police said.
|
|
| 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 | |
The state BJP leadership is finding it difficult to counter the charges levelled against it by expelled party MLAs that senior party leader Arun Jaitley had “directed” some legislators to vote for NC
candidate.
ammu, December 13
