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Heroin worth Rs 10 cr seized; three held
Post-Peerzada episode, Congress readies to get its act together
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Five arrested for duping residents
Militant hideout busted, arms seized
CM’s credibility has taken a beating, says Mufti
Drug
Policy
Sikhs allege govt interference in religious affairs
Daily
wagers’ strike continues
Medical camp for cancer patients held
Sarwal hospital to get blood bank
Workshop on National Bamboo Mission held
Devotees take out Milad procession
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Heroin worth Rs 10 cr seized; three held
Jammu, February 12 Speaking to mediapersons here today, Jammu SSP Prabhat Singh said the contraband was seized from three persons - Ranjit Kumar, Rakesh Kumar, both hailing from the Khour area in Akhnoor, and Akhter Rasool, a resident of Gujjar Nagar - during a routine checking at the Ploura check post. “The three were riding a bike (JK 02 KU 7629) and were pulled over for routine checking. Their suspicious gestures during frisking aroused the suspicion of the police. During sustained frisking, 10 kg heroin was seized from their possession,” he added. The SSP said Rasool belonged to a family of professional smugglers, as his father and brother had been arrested in a similar case in Punjab recently. “Rasool’s entire family is apparently involved in criminal activity. The other two hail from border areas and people there often indulge in smuggling,” he added. This is the biggest recovery of narcotics in the state this year, he claimed, adding: “We have verified through our narcotics experts in the department that the substance that has been recovered is heroin.” Prabhat said their team led by SHO, Bakshi Nagar, Sameer Jeelani used the narcotic testing kit on the spot to verify the percentage of the drug. The presence of heroin was established during the initial testing, he added. This would further be corroborated through laboratory tests, he said. “We had inputs about increased movement of drug-peddlers in the area. We had constituted a special team to curb the menace. Cross-border smuggling is always a big challenge and we are prepared to deal with it,” he asserted. |
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Post-Peerzada episode, Congress readies
Sangrampur
(Marh), February 12 In the first public meeting held here today by the party after the Peerzada controversy, Soz and other Congress leaders stressed on the need for unity among party workers and asserted that the party would form its own government in the next Assembly elections. Although Congress leaders avoided a direct attack on the National Conference (NC) leadership or Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, they made a veiled attack on the coalition partner for hatching a conspiracy to weaken the party. It was announced in today’s rally that the Congress would hold a series of public meetings in Jammu city to exhibit its strength. As Peerzada’s episode has strengthened the position of the JKPCC chief, he also availed himself of the opportunity to give a signal to his detractors in the party by lavishing praise on state Mahila Congress chief Indu Pawar, who had organised today’s rally. Soz’s detractors have been projecting rebel Congress leader Balwan Singh from this segment. Soz also attacked the BJP for propagating divisive politics and dividing the people on communal lines. The BJP was a threat to the unity and integrity of the country as well as the state of Jammu and Kashmir, he said. “The BJP believes in the politics of divisiveness which creates hatred among people of different faiths and religions and is dangerous for the unity and integrity of the country,” he said, adding that India was known for its unity in diversity throughout the world, as people of different faiths lived in peace and harmony in the country. Later interacting with mediapersons, Soz preferred to maintain a guarded silence on the issue of Peerzada. “There are reports that something wrong has gone which needed to be rectified. The Chief Minister is seized of the matter and he will rectify whatever wrong has been done,” Soz reacted while trying to wash his hands off the controversy.
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Five arrested for duping residents
Srinagar, February 12 Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), West Zone, Srinagar, Shailendra Mishra today said a group of five persons — Athar Andrabi, Ravi Sharma, Mohammad Ayoub Kanth, Surjeet Singh and a woman whose identity was not disclosed — had established a fake trust — Taskeen Charitable Trust — at Nowgam a few months ago and collected Rs 1,000 each from several residents. The gang had collected a large amount of money after assuring each of their victims of paying Rs 300 per month once they deposited the said amount. The gang members had fled to Jammu recently. After receiving complaints, the police swung into action and a team led by the SDPO arrested the five accused from Jammu. The police has approached the authorities concerned to block the website of the trust. The gang had also opened offices in other districts of the state, including Pulwama and Rajouri, besides Jammu city. Further investigations in this regard are on and more arrests are expected, the police said. Meanwhile, two persons were arrested for selling LPG cylinders and diesel on the black market in Baramulla district of the Kashmir valley.
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Fresh snow in upper reaches
Srinagar, February 12 The ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramula district received one foot of snow since last night while the tourist resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district received three centimetres of snow, an official said here. Srinagar city and the border town of Kupwara recorded 1.1 and 7.7 millimetre rainfall, respectively. Gulmarg remained the coldest place of the Valley recording a minimum temperature of minus 6.5°Celsius. Pahalgam recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.4° C while the night temperatures at Kupwara and Srinagar hovered slightly above the freezing point. Leh town in the Ladakh region recorded a minimum temperature of minus 8.8°C while the adjoining Kargil town remained the coldest place of the state at minus 11° C. An official of the meteorological department said rain and snow would continue for the next two days following which the weather was expected to remain dry. Meanwhile, inclement weather conditions forced the authorities to only allow one-way traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, Kashmir’s only surface link with the rest of the country. |
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Militant hideout busted, arms seized
Srinagar, February 12 In a joint operation, the Sogam police, 40 Battalion, CRPF, and 19 Rashtriya Rifles busted the hideout located in a water reservoir at Dialgam village in Anantnag. One under-barrel grenade launcher (UBGL), two UBGL grenades, 5 kg explosives, one radio set, two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), two pistol magazines, a pair of binoculars, 19 switches of electric IEDs, eight IED batteries, one Chinese grenade, one silencer for rifle, one rocket propelled grenade (RPG) booster, one UMG magazine, one AM/FM radio transmitter, two IED explosives, one IED circuit, 20 detonators, one wire with bulb, 92 rounds of Pika ammunition and 47 rounds of AK 47 were seized from the hideout. The police has registered a case and is
carrying out further investigations.
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jungle
warfare
Jammu, February 12 “As of now it is just a decision. Once we get the orders from Ministry of Defence, we will impart training to young CRPF officers in special jungle warfare tactics so as to enable them to take Naxalites head-on,” said a senior Army officer on condition of anonymity. The CRPF has decided to depute its young officers with Rashtriya Rifles units posted in Jammu and Kashmir to teach them the trade secrets in special jungle warfare operations. “Definitely, they will learn the trade secrets during counter-insurgency operations carried out by the RR units in the state, said the officer. He recalled the Dantewada Naxal ambush in 2010 where 75 CRPF personnel were killed. “The carnage is still fresh in the minds of countrymen and if the government wanted us to impart training to their men then we will abide by the directions,” he added. The Rashtriya Rifles is a counter-insurgency and anti-terrorist force. After the Dantewada carnage, the CRPF had deputed over 53 officers of the rank of Assistant Commandants to various Army units, including Rashtriya Rifles, for short training. A need was felt to depute CRPF officers with RR units on the ground so that they could learn the tactics being applied by the RR men during real operations, said sources in the CRPF. After the Dantewada carnage the CRPF had implemented some reconciliatory measures in the militancy-plagued state in 2010 by fortifying its camps and resorting to extreme alertness in performing duties such as area domination operations and counter-terrorism operations. There have been fidayeen (suicide) attacks on CRPF camps in the past in the Kashmir valley. |
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CM’s credibility has taken a beating, says Mufti
Jammu, February 12 Addressing a public meeting at Bana Chak village in the Bishnah area, Mufti said the credibility of other democratic institutions had already been eroded in the state during the last three years but due to the recent developments the authority and credibility of the highest democratic institution of the post of Chief Minister had also been undermined. Pointing towards rampant corruption and nepotism in the state, Mufti regretted that it was the first time in the history of the state that the Chief Minister was under a cloud over issues of crime and corruption. “People usually look towards the head of the government for providing good governance and justice to them but when the head of the government is himself facing an inquiry, where can one expect justice?” he observed without naming Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Reiterating the resolve of his party to change the present corrupt system with the support of the people, Sayeed exhorted the new entrants in the party to spread the message of the PDP among the masses. “The PDP wants to change the fate of the people of Jammu and Kashmir through democratic means,” he said and sought cooperation and support of the people to establish a new system of justice and equality in the region. “The PDP as a political party has emerged as a strong alternative in the state because this party has earned the trust of the masses due to its programmes and policies. “Unlike other political parties, the PDP has never compromised with its principles just for power.
Our politics is not for grabbing power but for addressing the aspirations and wishes of the people,” he maintained. |
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Drug
Policy
Jammu, February 12 Talking to The Tribune, Sham Lal Sharma said: “The drug policy is badly needed in the state as it is people-friendly. But some doctors with vested interest are provoking people to protest against it.” “There is a strong nexus between some doctors and pharmaceutical companies that affects the poor patients, as they get ordinary medicines at very high prices. These doctors have been encouraging such protests, but there is nothing wrong with the policy,” he added. The minister added that the drug policy had remained in the public domain for six months before it was approved but nobody had then stepped forward to object it. However, these pharmaceutical dealers had suddenly taken to the streets against the policy. Reacting to the protests over the policy across the state, Sharma said: “We cannot have a feudal system in our state. Just a few protests cannot prevent it from being implemented. We have consulted 87 experts before getting an approval. We need to have strict rules for everything in our state.” The new drug policy is based on the rationalisation of drug use. It includes the selection of essential drugs list by a committee of experts, called State Drug Committee. The committee will comprise clinicians, microbiologists, qualified pharmacists and independent experts besides senior functionaries of various departments. The policy has evoked sharp protests from wholesale and retail dealers in pharmaceutical products throughout the state. They claim the new drug policy will severely affect their trade. The minister, however, said the formation of any regulatory body would improve the system, so medical representatives of different companies should not be worried about it. |
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One ‘Lucky’ thief, this!
Jammu, February 12 Rajesh Jasrotia, in-charge, Nehru Market Police Post, said the rashly driven bus, which was not carrying any passengers, broke through the protection wall and plunged to riverbed. “We rushed to the scene and to our utter surprise, found the youth alive with minor injuries,” the officer said. “We initially believed that the bus had plunged to the Tawi riverbed after its driver lost control of the vehicle,” he added. “After preliminary investigations, we learnt about the owners of the bus plying on the Jammu-Kathua route. The owners claimed that their vehicle had been stolen from Nehru Market,” he said. Lucky, before getting away with the bus from the Nehru Market bus stand, had attempted to steal another vehicle, but a watchman roughed him up and dragged him out of the bus stand, it was learnt. An undeterred Lucky made another attempt and succeeded in stealing the bus. He, however, could not even cross the bridge, barely half a kilometre from the Nehru Market bus stand. “The accused has been identified as Lucky, a resident of Kunjwani. He has been shifted to the Government Medical College,” the police said. “We are looking into the matter and have registered a case under Section 379, RPC, against him,” the police added. Lucky was suspected to be drunk at the time of the incident. The doctors had recommended a CT scan to screen him for internal injuries, the police added. Lucky had been involved in petty thefts in the past, the police said. |
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Governor interacts with IPS officers
Jammu, February 12 The IPS officers included Rayees Mohammad Bhat from Jammu and Kashmir, Rajiv Pandey from Maharashtra, Manicka Raj from Tamil Nadu, Shridhar Patil from Maharashtra, Manish Agrawal from Uttar Pradesh and Udayabhaskar Billa from Andhra Pradesh. All these IPS Officers are from 2010 batch except Billa who is from 2008 batch. While interacting with the IPS officers, the Governor urged them to work with zeal and devotion to maintain public order and normalcy in the state. He said fairness and honesty must be the bench mark of their future service in the state. The Governor wished them a successful career in the Indian Police Service. |
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Sikhs allege govt interference in religious affairs
Jammu, February 12 In a press release issued here, Sikh organisations, including the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), the Sikh Intellectuals Circle, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), the Sikhs for Justice and others have condemned the removal of the DGPC, Jammu, headed by Daleep Singh ,who was nominated by the government. Sikh leaders alleged that instead of extending the period of the existing committee, the government had constituted another committee mostly comprising of non-amritdhari and known political activists at the behest of certain self-centered people. The Sikh leaders have decided to start an awareness campaign among the Sikh community in the state to save the religious affairs from the alleged unwanted political interference.
— TNS
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Daily
wagers’ strike continues
Katra, February 12 The daily wagers have been protesting against an illegal appointment in the Municipal Committee, Katra, and have also been demanding the regularisation of their services. While daily wagers managing the civic affairs in the MC, Katra, are on an indefinite strike for the last four days, the workers are sitting on a dharna near the Municipal Committee office and have struck work. Residents of the area, especially the pilgrims visiting the holy cave shrine are facing a lot of hardships due to the accumulation of garbage in the town. Heaps of garbage lie scattered on the roads, drains are choked and foul smell emanates from them. The MC authorities as well as the district administration have failed to convince the workers to resume work. No alternative arrangements could be made to regulate the affairs and remove garbage and clear the choked drains. The protesting workers alleged that the senior department officials had issued a permanent order to Sunita Devi, who was working as a computer assistant, on a consolidated basis in the MC, Katra, which was totally unjustified. The stray animals have aggravated the people’s problem, as they scatter the garbage in the lanes. It has become difficult to move in the lanes and the main market. The protesting employees have resolved to continue their strike till their demands were met. The Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, Sheetal Nanda, when contacted said some alternate arrangements were being made. A dialogue has also been initiated with the leaders of the daily wagers’ union and it is hoped that the issue would be resolved soon. |
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Medical camp for cancer patients held
Jammu, February 12 Besides medical check-up and consultation, Dr Vaid also distributed free of cost prescribed and imported medicines worth Rs 2.5 lakh to needy patients. Raman Bhalla, Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, also visited the camp and felicitated Dr Vaid, who has been rendering free services to the people of Jammu, by visiting here every month to provide free of cost medical check-ups to cancer patients. Pawan Shastri, president of the Jammu Yatri Bhawan, disclosed that a full-fledged outdoor health facility centre was being set up by the Jammu Yatri Bhawan Trust. The health facility would be fully equipped with X-ray equipment, ultrasound and other necessary aids, Shastri added.
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Sarwal hospital to get blood bank
Jammu, February 12 The hospital currently has a blood storage centre, where blood can be stored but cannot be donated. For donation purposes, donors, patients’ attendants or relatives have to approach the SMGS or Gandhi Nagar Hospital. With the approval of the plan, the patients will soon get the facility at the Sarwal hospital. The hospital is likely to get funds in the upcoming budget session for
the construction of infrastructure. Dr Arun Sharma, Medical Superintendent, Government Hospital, Sarwal, said: “We have got the plan finalised and the work will be carried out in collaboration with the Public Works Department. We need to appoint staff against the sanctioned posts for the blood bank.” “The construction site, map, agencies executing the work, etc. have been finalised and cleared.
Once the government sanctions the funds for the project, we will procure
the licence. The facility is expected be made available to the patients within six months,”
he added. Dr Arun said due to the absence of the facility, surgeries had to be postponed. Also, serious patients couldn’t get immediate assistance. “We will organise voluntary blood donation camps once the blood bank gets going. People will no longer have to be dependent on other hospitals for help,” he added. |
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Workshop on National Bamboo Mission held
Udhampur, February 12 About 100 farmers and 50 officials of the Department of Agriculture took part in the workshop. The importance of bamboo in our day-to-day lives was discussed in detail during the seminar. Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO), Udhampur, Suneel Koul inaugurated the workshop. Koul laid emphasis on the objectives of the National Bamboo Mission, which could only be achieved by planting of bamboo in non-forest areas and degraded lands etc. He added that China and North-East states of India had made progress by leaps and bounds in the bamboo industry. On the commercial exploitation of bamboo, he said the demand for bamboo grids, bamboo scaffolding, bamboo furniture for building and construction works and in other miscellaneous industry like ice cream sticks, fire crackers, bamboo lathis and ladders would rise from Rs 6,000 million in 2001 to 10,000 million in 2015. Sarpanches of the area highlighted the importance of growing bamboo and said it was a common practice earlier to grow bamboo in Udhampur district, but later it was stopped by farmers because the land resources were shrinking. They thanked the Department of Agriculture for reviving bamboo cultivation in the district. Later, bamboo poly bag plants were distributed among the farmers free of cost and were assured by the CAO, Udhampur, that any farmer of the district could approach his office for free poly bag plants and technical know how. |
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Police holds talent hunt in Udhampur
Udhampur, February 12 DIG Police, Udhampur-Reasi Range, Jagjit Kumar was the chief guest on
the occasion. The jury selected 10 participants, five each in the senior and junior categories after the trials. Those selected in the senior category included Sonali Rajput, Anish, Sahil Sharma, Kiran Bharti and Manvi Sharma while Shivi Badyal, Raghav Karnathia, Ritika Bhardwaj, Ravi Badya and Abhinav Goswami were among those shortlisted in the junior category. SSP, Udhampur, Shakeel Ahmed Beig said the competition was organised by the state police to explore hidden artistic talent among the youth of the district, who included students of schools and colleges. The jury faced tough time in selecting the winners because all the participants turned out to be highly talented, added Beig. The winners will participate in the range level competition along with the winners of the similar competitions held in Reasi district. |
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Devotees take out Milad procession
Srinagar, February 12 He said the rally was organised by the Minhaj-ul-Islam and associate Ahle-Atiqad organisations. Chief Patron of the Minhaj-ul-Islam Moulana Allama Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Naqeeb and chief adviser of the Minhaj-ul-Islam Khawaja Renzushah led the procession from Harwan to Brein-Nishat. The procession was held two days after the Friday following Eid-i-Milad-un-Nabi, the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
— OC
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Dateline Kashmir
The way Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed sent his resignation letter directly to Congress president Sonia Gandhi has raised many an eyebrow in the state. This resignation was sent to the Congress president following Peerzada’s ‘indictment’ over using unfair means to favour his son in the Class X examination two years ago. The Congress president’s rejection of the resignation and the Chief Minister having divested the Education Minister of his portfolio has added to the fluid situation over the issue. The way Peerzada bypassed the Chief Minister while submitting the resignation from Omar’s Council of Ministers speaks volumes about the “strained relations” between the two coalition parties. Even as the two parties claim to have cordial relations to last the full six-year term, the recent developments have exposed their relations. The differences within the Congress were also exposed recently when a senior party leader and former Minister, Abdul Gani Vakil, accused PHE Minister Taj Mohiuddin of irregularities in the departments under him. Aamir’s visit brings cheer
Claims, counterclaims
The rivalry between the ruling National Conference (NC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is no secret. While the two main local political parties of Jammu and Kashmir have always been engaged in a war of words over a whole lot of issues, the traditional rivals of late have found a new way of claiming superiority over the other. Issuing statements claiming that a group of party workers from one party having joined the other has become a routine these days. The PDP statements often claim that a group of NC workers have joined their party fold and vice versa. On some occasions, the parties have even denied the claims of their workers joining the other group. The claims from both sides have turned into a joke. It is time both parties stop politicking and jointly concentrate on resolving the issues faced by the common man. — Contributed by Ehsan Fazili
and Aamir Khan
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Dateline Jammu
Dr Mohan Paul Singh Isher, who took over as the new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jammu on January 29, has taken a vital initiative by reviving the public relations strategy of the biggest academic institution of the region. Public relations remained the most neglected sphere during his predecessor’s tenure. The vital department of the university had become defunct as other departments had started issuing press releases independently. Moreover, owing to lack of skill in media management, the head and professors of these departments could not muster optimum media coverage. With the new V-C officially ordering the routing of all news and advertisements through the two public relations officers of the JU, things are set to change. While some people among the JU staff have appreciated the move, others see it as a move to keep those sitting idle for a while engaged. Guarded silence
Ever since Congress Cabinet Minister Peerzada Mohammed Sayeed drew sharp criticism from the Opposition over the infamous J&K examination scam, the Crime Branch has been maintaining a discreet silence over the issue. Even after a political upheaval that stripped the minister of the Education portfolio, the Crime Branch, which otherwise wastes no time in sharing the details with the media of its latest catch in cases of corruption, remained tight-lipped about the Peerzada case. To ensure that skeletons did not tumble out of the cupboard, the Crime Branch officials remained mum, forcing the media to grope in the dark for clues. The high and mighty, despite being neck-deep in unethical practices, do get some concessions after all! Harbinger of peace
While cross-border tension between India and Pakistan sees no signs of letting up, a young local Muslim woman, Dr Darakshan Andrabi, has emerged as a harbinger of peace. For the past four years, she has been sending messages of peace to Pakistan on the eve of the Valentine’s Day. Known for fighting separatism and terrorism in the state, Dr Andrabi, president, Socialist Party, has earned the title “Daughter of India”. She celebrates the day as “Love and Peace Day” and sends hundreds of gas-filled balloons bearing messages of love into the Pakistan side. She also releases pigeons carrying letters, addressed to the Pakistan President, spreading the message of peace. — Contributed by Varun Suthra, Sonika Raina
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Jammu, February 12
Jammu, February 12
The brief visit of Bollywood star Aamir Khan to Kashmir at this time of winter has brought cheer to people from different sections of society and the government. While the government looks forward to having more tourists during the coming summer, those associated with tourism are also looking forward for a better tourist season. The Kashmir valley had a record number of over 13 lakh tourists last summer for the first time since the eruption of militancy in Kashmir two decades ago. The return of Bollywood shooting and tourist inflow can play a pivotal role in boosting economy which had got derailed with the eruption of violence. Despite
certain hiccups, during the summer unrest for three consecutive years, the
tourism economy has been showing encouraging progress.