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‘Killing’ of Shopkeeper in Valley
Traders in Srinagar area observe shutdown
Governor raises query over PSA amendment
Tagore one of the greatest luminaries of modern times, says minister
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Gandhiji’s grandson felicitated
Bar Association calls for strike on Dec 20
Mufti: NC govt has undermined anti-corruption institutions
Former Chief Minister and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed addresses
a public rally in Jammu on Thursday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma
Preacher, brother held for girl’s kidnapping
Govt working on plan for return of migrants: Minister
Omar: NC-Cong coalition represents public trust
MBS college wins debate contest
Vohra attends Committee of Governors meeting
Political Buzz
Jail inmates celebrate Christmas
Madrasas funding: Religious groups ask govt for details of beneficiaries
Leaders of religious groups at a press conference in the Valley on Thursday. Photo: Amin War
CPI organises protest on Food Security Day
Death of Urdu poet mourned
DG, CRPF, calls on Governor
LeT, Hizb modules busted
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‘Killing’ of Shopkeeper in Valley
Doda, December
15 “While we condemn all acts of human rights violation and misuse of power by anyone, it is unfortunate to observe that if such an act had been committed by men in uniform, the separatists would have made it an issue,” he added. Reposing faith in people of his state, he said purveyors of separatist ideology would not be able to hoodwink the people through provocative slogans, coercion and fear. “The day will come when you will have to apologise to the people of Kashmir for such wrongdoings,” he maintained and asked them to face political challenge and fight the roadmap and framework put forth by the NC for settlement of the K-issue. “The innocent youth was killed as he refused to shut down his shop and rejected the unnecessary strike calls given by separatists. He was severely hit by stone throwers, a regiment of separatists forcing people to obey the calendar of hartals,” said Omar. The youth succumbed to his injuries yesterday in Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar. The CM expressed deep grief over the death and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved family.
Traders in Srinagar area observe shutdown
Srinagar, December 15 The traders of the Nowhatta and Gojwara areas closed their shops in protest against the death of Tariq Ahmad Bhat (24), a local shopkeeper. Bhat died at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences here yesterday. The police said he was hit on his head with a cricket bat by a group of stone throwers, who were trying to enforce a shutdown at Gojwara on December 3. This is for the first time that a local shopkeeper died after he was thrashed by stone throwers. Shops at Nowhatta and Gojwara closed last afternoon as soon as the news about Bhat’s death spread while the traders of the area gave a call for a two-day strike till tomorrow. Besides the traders’ community, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also condemned the shopkeeper’s death. Condemning the incident, Mehbooba demanded strict action against those responsible for Bhat’s death. “We condemn the way Tariq was inflicted injuries in the broad daylight, which proved fatal,” she added. |
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Governor raises query over PSA amendment
Jammu, December 15 “The Governor has discretionary powers to return files seeking amendments to an Act via ordinance when the legislature is not in session. For reconsideration it can be sent back to the state government,” Law Minister Ali Mohammed Sagar told The Tribune. So far, the observations of the Raj Bhawan have not been sent to the Law Department. As soon as we get those observations, the state government will file its reply on each and every observation, said Sagar. The Cabinet had given its consent earlier this year to various amendments to the PSA. The Governor’s office has raised a query on a particular clause in the ordinance that differentiated between detention of youths below 18 years from Jammu and Kashmir and those from outside the state. The state government had wanted that youths from the state below the age of 18 years shouldn’t be detained under the PSA while minors who were non-state subjects (from outside the state) could
be detained. Sources say this didn’t go down well with the Governor’s office, which felt the proposed amendment to be a violation of the Constitution, which guarantees equality among citizens of the country. Accordingly, the Governor’s office decided to send the file back to the state government for seeking an opinion from legal experts before an ordinance was issued. Sources in the Law Ministry said the ministry would minutely go through the observations besides seeking a fresh legal opinion before sending it again to Governor NN Vohra for his approval. Public Safety Act, 1978 n
The Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978, is a state Act applicable to Jammu and Kashmir only. n
The Act extends to the whole state. n
According to human rights watchdog Amnesty International, the state government has detained nearly 20,000 people in the past two decades under the PSA. |
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Tagore one of the greatest luminaries of modern times, says minister
Jammu, December 15 The literary festival is being organised by the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Culture. The aim of holding the event in the state was to discuss Tagore as a writer, philosopher, poet, composer, painter, essayist, educationist and a social reformer. The opening day of the event was attended by prominent writers, poets and intellectuals, representing Kashmiri, Dogri, Gojri, Ladakhi, Punjabi, Pahari and Balti languages. Minister for Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Irrigation Taj Mohi-ud Din was the chief guest on the occasion while MLC Mohammad Yusuf Taing presided over the function. Welcoming the guests, Dr Javaid Rahi said, “Tagore was a versatile genius, who was much ahead of his time and wrote in Bangla, which was his mother tongue. He was the first non-European to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913.” The minister described Tagore as one of the greatest luminaries of modern times. He said Tagore was our national treasure and his proper projection was the need of the hour. He said Tagore’s inspiring poetry, prose expressing his intimacy with nature, his quest for inner truth, the sense of commonality and community transcended borders and broke down the presumed barriers of religion, race or language. |
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Gandhiji’s grandson felicitated
Jammu,
December 15 Minister of Education Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed was the chief guest on the occasion. Students of the school presented a cultural programme on the occasion. Former Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma was also present on the occasion. — TNS
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Bar Association calls for strike on Dec 20
Jammu, December 15 The Bar Association supported by various trade, transport, social and political groups has also called for a complete Jammu bandh on December 20 to protest against the government’s decision. “We have deputed several teams of lawyers to all the districts and tehsils of the state to aware the people about the nefarious design of the government. By the reported move, the government is facilitating the regularisation of illegal encroachments by land mafia and powerful people,” Bar president BS Slathia said. — TNS |
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Mufti: NC govt has undermined anti-corruption institutions
Jammu, December 15 “As corruption in Jammu and Kashmir has crossed all limits, we cannot wait for Anna Hazare or Parliament for the constitution of a strong Lokpal,” Mufti said while addressing a public meeting in the Rani Park area in the heart of old Jammu city. In the backdrop of the BJP grappling with the crossing-voting controversy, Mufti raised the corruption issue at the meeting today to corner it as well as the NC. This was Mufti’s first public meeting in the area, which is considered to be a stronghold of the BJP. He said the present government had undermined anti-corruption institutions like the State Accountability Commission (SAC) and the State Vigilance Organisation and hence there was a pressing need for structural reforms in the anti-corruption setup. “The head of the proposed independent investigation agency be appointed on the pattern of the Chairman of the SAC with the consent of the Leader of the Opposition,” he added. He regretted that during the last three years “corruption had been legalised” in the state. Mufti claimed that the PDP-led government had established the SAC in 2003 but the present regime had rendered it defunct because it was not interested in curbing corruption. He said at present the anti-corruption setup was under the control of the state government and had become a tool in the hands of political bosses. In a veiled attack on the BJP for its “failure” to play the role of an effective opposition in the state, Mufti said the PDP alone had been exposing the misdeeds of the Omar government. He added as the BJP had failed to emerge as an alternative to the NC, the people of the Jammu region should support the PDP to get the state rid of the corrupt government. He also lambasted the government for adopting discriminatory policies in the disbursement of development funds and demanded a probe into the distribution of funds during the last three years. Though Mufti avoided a direct attack on the BJP, other PDP leaders said the party had only been exploiting the sentiments of the people of Jammu. |
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Preacher, brother held for girl’s kidnapping
Nagrota, December 15 The preacher (commonly called Peer Sahib), Rafiq, a resident of Poonch district, was physically challenged and was carried by his followers on their shoulders from one place to another. The police said the preacher, who was living in the Jagti area for the past one and a half years, had lured the girl on the pretext of providing her quality education and a job of teacher later. “The preacher was staying at the girl’s house for the past one and a half years before committing the crime. He used to influence people pretending to be a faith healer and was popular in Jammu, Poonch, Rajouri and Anantnag districts,” DSP Faisal Qureshi told The Tribune. The DSP said the girl fell to the bait of the preacher and he kidnapped her with the help of his brother Mohammad Rashid on May 19, 2011. “His brother assisted him in the crime. Initially, they took the girl to Poonch and later to New Delhi, before settling in Noida. The girl’s family fell into his trap and provided him shelter,” official sources said. On May 19, Shameem Bi’s family lodged a complaint at Nagrota police station that she had be kidnapped. A police team led by SHO Parvez Sajjad conducted raids in Poonch, Kashmir, Leh and New Delhi. “The police worked on different theories and traced the location of the preacher through his discarded SIM card. He used to make calls to his cousin in Poonch frequently. Later, he threw the SIM card and started using a new connection of a private company. He even used fake documents to procure a SIM card in Noida,” the sources added. The preacher and his brother were today produced in a local court, which remanded them in police custody for seven days. The girl was restored to the family after a medical examination. A case has been registered against the accused at Nagrota police station. |
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Govt working on plan for return of migrants: Minister
Reasi, December 15 But the success of the programme would depend on the degree of sense of security that had been restored among the migrants, Malik said at a meeting with the leaders of various deputations of migrants here. “The focus is on the creation of economic opportunities for the migrant youth and reservation in government jobs as meaningful incentives to the community to encourage its members to return in a conducive and peaceful atmosphere,” he added. Officials maintained that at present there were over 900 migrant families camping at Talwara and Gran Morh in Reasi. Another important component of the programme was the economic development of those people who did not migrate from the militancy-affected areas, but, as Malik observed, were bereft of the benefits available to the migrants under the Prime Minister Reconstruction Programme and other schemes. Responding to the questions of migrants, the minister said the transit accommodation and other required facilities had been put in place for these youth, besides other measures and steps to create a favourable atmosphere for the
return and rehabilitation of the migrants. Malik said there had been noticeable improvement in the situation since the time many families migrated from Mahore and others parts of Reasi and neighbouring Rajouri district. “However, the complete restoration of peace
and the elimination of fear psychosis among the people have to be worked out,” he added. |
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Omar: NC-Cong coalition represents public trust
Doda, December 15 The coalition government would not tolerate hooliganism and attempts at disturbing peace by forcing people to shutdown their establishments and depriving them from bread earning opportunities, he said. He asked his party workers to strengthen the coalition bonds at the grass-roots level. He stressed on constant rapport between legislators, representatives, office-bearers and party workers of both the coalition parties. “This type of strategy is important to address the public grievances and jointly seek their redress at the government level,” he said. The Chief Minister referred to the enactment and implementation of the Public Service Guarantee Act, highlighting its significance in prompt and time-bound public service delivery, empowerment of the panchayats, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and other works in the rural development sector. MLC, Doda, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy and provincial president of the NC Rattan Lal Gupta and local leaders also addressed the meetings. Later, at a district officers’ meeting, the CM reviewed the development in Doda District. He directed the officials concerned to focus on the timely completion of works and delivery of prompt and quick services to the people. “You should also ensure that the services transferred to the panchayats are actually being exercised by these institutions at the grass-roots level,” he told the district administration. Over Rs 32.5 crore has so far been spent on various development works in the district under the current year’s district development plan. The meeting was informed that under the MGNREGA, 7,317 works at a cost of over Rs 105 crore had been taken in hand in the district. About Rs 36 crore has so far been spent on the works. Omar said he would fulfil the demands put forth to him by more than 20 delegations of Doda district. |
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MBS college wins debate contest
Jammu, December 15 Banday Zain-ul-Abdeen from the Department of Political Science, University of Jammu, secured the first position while Rakshit Sharma from GGM Science College and Amandeep Singh from the MBS College of Engineering and Technology bagged the second and third positions, respectively. Anshual Gupta from Government MAM College, Jammu, and Apoorva Jamwal from Government Women College, Parade, Jammu, were given consolation prizes. The topic of the debate was “Moral education should be |
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Vohra attends Committee of Governors meeting
Jammu, December 15 This committee has been constituted by the President of India, inter alia, to study and recommend a viable strategy for enhancing the productivity, profitability, sustainability and competitiveness of the Indian agriculture sector, with special reference to rain-fed area farming. The terms of reference of the said committee include the identification of measures for requisite policy initiatives and legislative measures; institutional reforms, including the restructuring and convergence of schemes at the local level so as to integrate with the village economy; avenues and prospects for investment in the agriculture and allied sectors; measures for the transfer of innovations and new cutting edge technologies to the farm and allied sectors; and the industry-farmer partnership. |
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Political Buzz
Jammu, December 15 “There are about 2.5 lakh Gaddis and Sippis living in different areas of the Jammu province, including Basholi, Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri and Poonch, but despite falling under the Scheduled Tribes category, they are not being treated on a par with the Gujjars and the Bakerwals of the state,” Dr Nirmal Singh, BJP national executive committee member, said while addressing a press conference here yesterday. He said the Gaddi and Sippi tribes of the state were socially, educationally and economically backward semi-nomadic tribes inhabiting high mountainous tracts of the state and besides agriculture, rearing of goats and sheep was their source of livelihood. Nirmal said the Gaddi and Sippi tribes had been enjoying the Scheduled Tribes status since August 20, 1991, but they had been deprived of their rights under the reserved category by all successive state governments. “The Gaddis and Sippis of the Jammu province are not being provided benefits under the Centrally-sponsored schemes. They do not have a quota in professional colleges and universities,” the BJP leader rued. Protest against corruption Activists of the Awami National Conference (ANC) led by senior vice-president of the party Muzaffar Shah held a demonstration against corruption and nepotism in the state government here on Thursday. Addressing party activists, Shah said the present government had done nothing to check the menace of corruption. He added the ANC had decided to intensify its ongoing campaign against corruption. Shah appealed to all political parties of the state to come on a platform to expose the “corrupt” regime. Meanwhile, the police did not allow the protesters to march towards the civil secretariat. Cong leader tours Nowshera Member of the Legislative Council and spokesman for the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Ravinder Sharma visited the Hanjan-Rajal and Lamberi-Dandani areas of Nowshera tehsil and took stock of the problems of the people. The sarpanches, panches and prominent persons of the areas apprised Sharma about their demands. At Hanjana, the people apprised Sharma about the power and drinking water problems, besides demanding the upgrading of a middle school and a proper road to Devnagri Hanjana. He instructed the officers of the department concerned to take note of the issues for follow-up action at the earliest. The other demands of the people included the opening of a ration depot, upgrading of schools and roads in far-flung areas. |
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Jail inmates celebrate Christmas
Jammu, December 15 The students were carrying placards and impressed upon the inmates to follow the path of “non-violence, brotherhood and communal harmony”. Superintendent of the jail, Vinod Kumar, was the chief guest while Principal of Presentation Convent School Sister Rossama was also present on the occasion. Some jail inmates danced to the tunes of Punjabi songs while others took a keen interest in different kind of games organised by the schoolchildren. Talking to mediapersons, the jail superintendent said, “Such programmes are being organised to bring reformation in the lives of jail inmates. We have seen the positive effects on the inmates and we plan to organise more such programmes in the coming days.” He said they had started a meditation centre on the jail premises, where the inmates were being given religious sermons (as per their religious faith), on a regular basis to bring about “significant improvement” in their lives. Later, gifts were also distributed among the jail inmates. |
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Madrasas funding: Religious groups ask govt for details of beneficiaries
Srinagar, December 15 “The government has to make public the complete details regarding the aid of Rs 7 crore released to the religious institutions. If it fails to do so, we have already formed a legal team that will take the required action,” MUAS patron Karwan Islami and member Maulana G R Hami said while addressing a press conference here. He made the statement in reference to media reports quoting a response to an RTI query that revealed that the Ministry of Human Resource Development had funded Rs 7 crore to the madrasas of the state. After the RTI disclosure, the state government on Tuesday said it had sanctioned Rs 3.47 crore to 362 madrasas across the state. However, Hami said the names of several institutions affiliated to the conglomerate had figured in the list issued by the state government even though they had not applied for the same. “We never applied for any funds nor have we received anything. Therefore it is imperative that the government make the details public as we fear that funds may have been embezzled in our names,” he said. The MUAS claimed that the names of some “fictitious” madrasas had appeared in the list released by the government. Incidentally, several religious organisations have already called for a probe into the matter. Last week, the government had said it would conduct the verification of madrasas getting government aid in the state. Meanwhile, the MUAS has said it would continue with its campaign to make the Valley alcohol-free. The association urged National Conference president Farooq Abdullah not to make “controversial” statements. Farooq had recently batted for the opening of liquor shops and cinema halls in Kashmir. Central funding to madrasas The response to an RTI query has disclosed that the Ministry of Human Resource Development has provided funds to the tune of Rs 7 crore to the madrasas of the state. State government’s Claim After the RTI disclosure, the state government on Tuesday said it had sanctioned Rs 3.47 crore to 362 madrasas across the state. What Religious Groups Say “The government has to make public the complete details regarding the aid of Rs 7 crore released to the religious institutions. If it fails to do so, we have already formed a legal team that will take the required action.” —
Karwan Islami, MUAS patron Names of several religious institutions have figured in the list issued by the state government even though they had not applied for any funds. |
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CPI organises protest on Food Security Day
Jammu, December 15 The regional council of the CPI endorsed the stand taken by the Central leadership about the Jan Lokpal Bill and proposals of getting back black money stashed in banks abroad. The party members criticised the new recruitment policy of the state government. The CPI also alleged that Foreign Direct Investment would increase unemployment and deprive the people, especially small traders from competing with the multinational companies.
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Death of Urdu poet mourned
Srinagar, December 15 Parbati, 50, was working as an associate professor at the Iqbal Institute in the university. He has authored 14 books, including eight poetic collections and six books on Urdu criticism. He is known for his pioneering work on “Urdu Rubaiyat” and was awarded for his work by a number of institutions, including the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. He was also associated with the Department of Urdu and Academic Staff College of the university. Vice-chancellor of the University of Kashmir, Talat Ahmad, accompanied by Registrar, Syed Fayaz and other senior functionaries visited the bereaved family and also attended the funeral prayers of the dead poet today. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has condoled the demise of Parbati. |
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DG, CRPF, calls on Governor
Jammu, December 15 Kumar also briefed the Governor about various aspects of the obtaining security situation in the state.
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LeT, Hizb modules busted
Srinagar, December 15 A police spokesman here said Sabzar Ahmad Sheikh had been arrested in connection with the firing incident that injured National Conference block president and sarpanch of Panzoo village Abdul Salam Malik on November 25. On his disclosure, the police apprehended three Lashkar-e-Toiba operatives -- Rafiq Ahmad Bhat, alias Dada, of Tral; Parvaiz Ahmad Wani, alias Maqsood, of Kulgam; and Shahid Nabi Sheikh, alias Iqbal, of Brenthal. It was revealed that all four had been operating in south Kashmir and were assigned the job of targeting political activists and police personnel at isolated places. The police also busted a module of the Hizbul Mujahideen operating in the Tral area. The module was involved in setting ablaze a cable network on November 17 last. Those arrested in this connection included Aadil Ahmad Reshi, Mujeeb-ul-Rashid, alias Juj Peer, Mehraj-ud-Din Dar and Mohammad Iqbal Sheikh, alias Altaf, of the Tral area. The arrested had wanted the owner of the cable network to stop airing film channels. The module was working for a local Hizbul commander, Shabir Ahmad, alias Chota Shabir. It had also threatened the recently elected panches and sarpanches in the area, the police said. |
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Dubbing the Omar Abdullah government as the “most corrupt ever” regime in the state, former Chief Minister and patron of the PDP Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today demanded the constitution of an independent investigation agency to probe corruption cases.
Srinagar, December 15
In a strongly worded criticism of separatists during his three-day tour of Doda and Kishtwar districts, Omar asserted that he would continue to seek a peaceful and progressive state through a positive political ideology. “If you want to fight, you should fight politically and not by indulging in hooliganism, high-handedness and muscle power,” he said. “A peaceful and youthful person of Nowhatta is the latest victim of your separatist outlook,” said a visibly upset Omar while expressing surprise over the attitude of those behind peaceful disturbances. 
The CPI held a protest in Jammu to observe Food Security Day today. The party demanded more subsidies for small farmers for their overall betterment and welfare.