The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Togadia’s remark Fresh clashes in Rajouri Four policemen among nine injured Arteev Sharma/TNS Jammu, March 7 Fresh clashes broke out in Rajouri town this afternoon after members of two communities resorted to stone pelting in the wake of an “inflammatory speech” made by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Parveen Togadia recently. At least nine persons, including four policemen, were injured in a clash with the police after members of a particular community were prevented from taking out a religious procession, in view of growing tension in the town. The police also lobbed teargas shells to disperse the agitators. The administration has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC to prevent clashes and check the assembly of more than five persons in the town. The police had registered a case under Section 153-A against Togadia for allegedly hurting the sentiments of a particular community. “Tension simmered in the town after the controversial speech of the VHP leader, who allegedly hurt the sentiments of a community during his visit to the town on March 4. Yesterday, members of a community took out a religious procession, which was to culminate at Bhairon Temple in Naban Mohalla. The police stopped the procession in the City Chowk area and prevented it from proceeding further, which led to clashes between the members of the procession and the police,” sources said. Sources added that members of another community also reached the scene and threw stones at the procession, thereby worsening the situation. “Situation turned ugly this afternoon when members of a community again tried to take out a religious procession. The police lobbed teargas shells to prevent the people from marching towards a sensitive area. The members of the community threw stones at the police, leading to a violent clash,” a source said. Rajouri SSP Vijay Singh Sambyal said: “Nine persons, including four policemen, received injuries after the police stopped people from moving towards the sensitive Town Hall area. The situation is tense but under control.” The SSP added they had deployed additional police force to control the situation. Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Khawaja Ghulam Ahmad said: “We have imposed Section 144 of the CrPC to restrict the assembly of people in the town. Though the administration organised meetings between two communities, the situation is still tense.” The Deputy Commissioner added that the situation was tense but under control. “Barring one or two places where stone pelting was reported, the situation was under control,” he said.
	LC Byelection Poll debacle forces Cong to rethink strategy Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, March 7 After a poor showing in the Assembly elections of five states, the Congress leadership in Jammu and Kashmir is treading cautiously to select its nominee for the Legislative Council byelection to be held in the last week of this month. The party leadership is trying to evolve a consensus to avoid any confrontation within the party. Although the Congress candidate’s victory is almost certain in the election, the party does not want to create further differences by giving mandate to a wrong candidate. A faction within the Congress has been campaigning in favour of veteran party leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma for the lone MLC seat, which fell vacant after party leader Yashpal Khajuria’s death. Several other Congress leaders are in the race for this seat. However, the equation has changed after the results of the recently concluded Assembly elections. Sources in the Congress said the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Saifuddin Soz had already prepared a panel of nominees for the seat, but they were now planning to hold discussions with all factions before finalising the name. As Yashpal Khajuria, whose death necessitated the byelection to the MLC, hailed from Udhampur, some leaders of the district were staking their claim to the seat. Former minister from Reasi Jugal Kishore Sharma has also thrown his hat in the ring, claiming that he belonged to Reasi, which was part of Udhampur before the bifurcation of the district. Sharma, a Ghulam Nabi Azad loyalist, had lost the last Assembly election by a narrow margin. Jugal’s supporters have been pressing for the denial of party nomination to Mangat Ram Sharma on account of his ill-health and age. Mangat Ram Sharma’s supporters, on the other hand, claimed that he should be properly rehabilitated for his service to the party. Sources said in the on-going tussle between Jugal Kishore and Mangat Ram Sharma, some other leaders from Udhampur were also fancying their chances in the race. “If a consensus is not reached, there is every possibility that a dark horse may get nominated by the party,” a source said, adding that the PCC chief was also mulling the name of a neutral candidate for the seat. The byelection for the single seat of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council will be held on March 22. The LC seat fell vacant following MLC Yashpal Khajuria’s death on December 27.
	Mata Vaishno Devi 8.51 lakh devotees visit shrine in first 2 months Devinder Thakur Katra, March 7 Over 8.51 lakh pilgrims have paid their obeisance at the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in the first two months of this year. The number of pilgrims visiting the shrine is up by over 61,000, as compared to the corresponding period last year. The increase has been seen despite the fact that entire February witnessed heavy to moderate rain in the region. “At least 8.51 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine during January and February this year,” said Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, Additional CEO, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. Last year, 7.90 lakh pilgrims had visited the shrine during the corresponding period. In January, at least 4.59 lakh pilgrims visited the sanctum sanctorum, against 4.21 lakh pilgrims who visited the shrine last year. In February, the figure stood at 3.92 lakh, as against 3.69 lakh for the same month last year. During 2011, 101.15 lakh devotees visited the shrine, while the figure stood at 87.49 lakh in 2010 and 82.35 lakh in 2009. The board was expecting the figure to cross the 11-million mark this year. Another spell of peaceful summer in the Valley is expected to have a positive impact on the pilgrimage to the shrine.
	Power deficit cause for concern: Survey T&D losses hover around 60 pc; 7.5 lakh connections sans meters Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, March 7 While the cash-starved state is slipping into a virtual debt trap with government liabilities increasing to Rs 31,272 crore, the recent Economic Survey has pointed out that the government’s failure to cut down losses in the power sector has had the deficit touching a staggering Rs 6,500 crore in just three years. The survey also picks holes in government’s approach vis-à-vis exploitation of state’s hydro-power potential, the process of e-metering and its efforts to check transmission and distribution (T&D) losses which are estimated to hover around 59 per cent during the current financial year. “The expenditure on the purchase of power, operation and maintenance was Rs 2,937.80 crore during 2009-10, Rs 2,724.69 crore in 2010-11 and Rs 3,538.21 crore (expected) by the end of the current financial year. The revenue generation during these years was Rs 703.64 crore, Rs 802.82 crore and Rs 1459.83 crore, respectively,” the survey says. It states the state is deficient in the production of power. Only 21.66 per cent of the power is produced within the state while the rest is purchased from other states, creating a huge gap between the revenue receipts and expenses incurred. The estimated hydro-power potential of the state is 20,000 MW, of which 16,480 MW has been identified. Out of the identified potential, only 2,458 MW (about 15 per cent) has been exploited so far, consisting of 760 MW in the state sector from 21 power projects, 1680 MW from four power projects under the Central sector and 17.5 MW from two private sector projects. “The 16th All India Power Survey has projected an increase in power demand of Jammu and Kashmir from 2120 MW during 2008-09 up to the estimated 4000 MW by 2020-21,” it maintains. The survey finds loopholes in the T&D system. “The main reasons for high T&D losses are technical as well as commercial. The high technical losses are due to the existing outdated system. The system needs upgradation and improvement to minimise the losses. Commercial losses include theft, unaccounted and uncontrolled consumption of power, and unregistered consumers,” it says. There were 12,77,369 registered consumers with the department in 2010-11, while the department had installed only 5,09,685 electronic meters, leaving over 7.5 lakh consumers to use power without meters. The installation of electronic meters in the state was started in 2004-05. In the first year of installation, about 24,052 meters were installed and till date about 5.09 lakh meters have been installed. The survey reveals that though the process is expected to be completed within the next two or three years, it appears to be a Herculean task to achieve 100 per cent metering. “The unaccounted and uncontrolled consumption when curtailed and curbed will surely generate more revenue to the department,” the survey said. Poor Production The Economic Survey says the state is deficient in the production of power. Only 21.66 per cent of the power is produced within the state while the rest is purchased from other states, creating a huge gap between the revenue receipts and expenses incurred.
	Jawan carries home AK-47, shoots 2 women in Poonch Suspected wife of having illicit relations Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, March 7 A soldier of the Territorial Army allegedly shot dead two women with his service rifle and tried to set his house ablaze in Poonch town, 240 km from here this morning. The accused suspected his wife of an illicit relationship with another man. The dead included the paramour’s mother. Official sources said Mohammed Tariq Pathan of 156 Battalion and attached with 37 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) in Mendhar town, opened fire from an AK-47, killing two women, besides injuring a minor girl. A native of Potha village in Surankote tehsil of Poonch district, the jawan had been living with his wife at Mohalla Alla Peer, ward No. 12, in Poonch town after his marriage a few years ago, the sources said. The accused, in civvies, left the Army camp of 37 RR in Mendhar on a mobike for Poonch town and carried along his service weapon. After he failed to find his wife in the house in Mohalla Alla Peer, the accused entered into heated arguments with two women living in the neighbourhood, the sources said. In a fit of rage, Pathan opened fire from his service rifle, killing the two women instantly, besides injuring a minor girl. The slain women have been identified as Saira Bano, the paramour’s mother, and Yasmeen Akhtar, while the minor girl has been identified as Saira Parveen, Saira Bano’s daughter. They said the jawan fired at least eight rounds at the crime scene. “The early morning incident created panic in the town and when a police officer, DSP (Operations) Javed Ahmed, went to the crime scene along with a team to arrest the jawan, the latter offered resistance. In the melee, the police officer suffered a fracture in one of his fingers,” a resident told The Tribune over phone. An Army spokesperson said the soldier had been arrested by the Poonch police and would be tried under a criminal case. “He left the Army camp for Poonch town with his service rifle and at least 90 rounds this morning,” said the spokesperson. A case under Section 302 of the RPC has been registered against the soldier at the Poonch police station. The soldier has been arrested and his service rifle seized. A police officer said the exact reason behind the soldier’s action was yet to be ascertained.
	Holi Milan function at Raj Bhawan Tribune News Service Jammu, March 7 Governor NN Vohra and his wife Usha Vohra celebrated Holi, the festival of colours, with staff of the Governor’s Secretariat, their children and families at a Holi Milan function held at Raj Bhawan lawns here today. The event made the auspicious occasion a memorable one for participants, particularly the children. The Governor and his wife extended Holi greetings to all the revelers assembled on the occasion and offered them sweets. They mingled with the children and enquired about their studies, advised them to work hard and wished them a bright future ahead. They also interacted with all the members of the staff of the Governor’s Secretariat and their families and posed for photographs with them. The Governor and his wife wished all of them good health and happiness. On the occasion, the Governor prayed for sustained peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in the state.
	Mega fest to cap winter activity at Gulmarg M Aamir Khan Srinagar, March 7 The ski resort of Gulmarg has been playing host to several festivals and adventure sports activities this winter season even as it remains entrenched in several feet of snow. While Gondola Ski Cup and Gulmarg Global Derby concluded last weekend, the resort in north Kashmir is all set to host a mega festival from March 9 to 11. Touted as India’s first ever “Winter Music and Adventure Festival”, its organisers, Soul Curators & Synapses Adventures and State Tourism Department, say the event will provide a common platform to local artistes and craftsmen besides attracting tourists. “The festival will feature an array of artistes covering a range of eclectic music genres like classical, folk, Sufi, jazz, jams, collaborations, blues, rock and fusion. It will showcase some of the best and upcoming talents across the country while also offering local artistes a chance to showcase their talent,” a member of the organising team said. “Adventure sports like snowboarding, skiing, paintball and other fun and recreational activities are also planned, besides a workshop on outdoor gadgets and gear and another workshop on snow and safety procedures,” he added. A rush of local residents as well as tourists is already being witnessed in Gulmarg for sightseeing and adventure sports. The festival will mark the end of a successful winter season from the tourism point of view.
	Man held with Rs 3.44 lakh hawala money Tribune News Service Jammu, March 7 The police arrested a man for his alleged involvement in handling money of militants and recovered Rs 3.44 lakh as hawala money from his possession at Talab Tillo late last night. The man, identified as Mohammad Aslam, is a resident of Darhal in Rajouri district. Official sources said Aslam was a private teacher by profession and had been handling money of militants. “Preliminary investigations revealed that he had received the money through a banking transaction in Rajouri town. He was camping in the Talab Tillo area of Jammu to hand over the amount to an ‘over-ground worker’ from Kashmir,” a source added.
	Jammu-based MLCs concerned over preservation of Dogri language Varun Suthra Tribune News Service Jammu, March 7 Members of the Legislative Council from Jammu expressed concern over the preservation of the Dogri language in the House on Tuesday, alleging that the language was eroding due to the government’s lack of interest. Ajatshatru Singh, MLC, National Conference, and an heir of the Dogra royal family said the Dogri language was eroding due to the lack of suitable schemes and plans. “Language is the foundation of any community. I urge the government to make the Dogri language compulsory up to the middle school level, in the Dogri speaking regions. I also want to know about the status of teachers, who have been appointed so far in schools to teach the Dogri language,” Ajatshatru said. Minister for Medical Education RS Chib while replying on behalf of the Education Minister said, “Our national language is Hindi and the state’s official language is Urdu. But the government is trying its best to develop other regional languages. Bringing the Dogri language into the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution was one such effort. We have also appointed many trained teachers in the Dogri speaking belts, including Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and Reasi. ” Chib said as per the demand various courses were included. The University of Jammu and the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages were among many such government institutions, which were meant to promote the language, he added NC, MLC, Ajay Sadotra, also stressed that it was the struggle of the Dogra community that led to the inclusion of the language into the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. “Can the government provide us with the list of the number of qualified teachers in Dogri, appointed so far in various schools,” asked Sadotra. The Medical Education Minister replied that the list would soon be given to the minister. He further disclosed, “Dogri is being taught to 45,211 students in 1,425 primary and upper primary schools in Jammu district while 5,435 students in Samba, 5,575 in Kathua, 11,280 in Udhampur, 14,927 in Reasi and 736 students in Rajouri are being taught the Dogri language.” He further added that the Dogri language was a provincial language of Jammu and was also taught as an optional subject at the 10+2 level.
	50 girls made aware of health schemes Jammu, March 7 Around 50 adolescent girls were yesterday made aware of various heath schemes being provided in health institutions of the state under the National Rural Health Mission, the Janani-Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, the Janani-Shishu Yojana and the Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health to improve their nutritional and health status. The girls along with anganwari workers of the Dhansal block visited Government Hospital, Sarwal, Jammu. They were led by CDPO, Dhansal, Sonali Arun Gupta. Dr Arun Sharma, Medical Superintendent, Government Hospital, Sarwal, gave the girls an elaborate lecture on health care services being provided in the health institutions of the state, government schemes and other benefits for women, children and adolescents in particular. The CDPO, Dhansal, explained about the Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG)-Sabla. The Sabla scheme aims at empowering adolescent girls in the age group of 11 to 18 by improving their nutritional and health status, up gradation of home skills, life skills and vocational skills. — TNS
	Kashmiri Pandits to push for shrine Bill Tribune News Service Jammu, March 7 Kashmiri Pandit Organisations on Monday resolved to press for the introduction and passage of the Kashmiri Hindu Temples and Shrine Bill, which has been pending for the last five years. The organisations, at a meeting led by the Pt Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust, decided to hold a mass dharna on March 12 outside Press Club in Jammu to highlight their demand. The organisations say their demand for the Bill has been pending since 2007. The Kashmiri Pandit community feels betrayed by the government as the Bill on the protection, management and regulation of religious shrines in the Valley has not yet been tabled. There was a consensus at the meeting that the community would take more steps to ensure the protection of religious places of Hindus in Kashmir. Members of the trust said temples, shrines and other religious places of Hindus in Kashmir had been vandalised, encroached upon and sold by some unscrupulous elements during the last 22 years. There are about 300 shrines and temples in the Valley that are in a state of neglect since the outbreak of insurgency and migration of Kashmiri Pandits in the early 1990s, the members added.
	Fake currency recovered Pak national remanded in judicial custody Tribune News Service Jammu, March 7 A Pakistan national, who was arrested along with fake currency from the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, was yesterday remanded in two days judicial custody. The Pakistan national, identified as Amjad Hussian of Pindi Fateh Pur, Kotli in the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), was presented before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Poonch. Official sources said the police arrested Amjad from a bus between Poonch-Rawalakote on Monday along with fake currency worth Rs 10,500. The police said Amjad had exchanged the Pakistan currency with Indian notes from a local agent in the PoK.
	Adventure sports course begins at Reasi Devinder Thakur Katra, March 7 A week-long adventure course sponsored by the UGC at the University of Jammu began at Reasi today. The initiative will give people of this region a glimpse of the lighter side of life. Earlier this year, the Department of Tourism had introduced adventure sports on the Chenab to attract tourists. Director, Sports and Physical Education, Prof Dhian Singh Bhau, University of Jammu, arrived with 60 contingents of students today to start a week-long river rafting and kayaking course on the Chenab at Baradari in Reasi district. The students were drawn from different departments of the university. They were briefed by the Director, Sports, and other officials of the department on the week-long adventure activity. All the participating student have been insured for the duration of the course. This activity is being organised through the Chenab Tour and Travels to which the Directorate has outsourced the whole training programme. Prof Bhau said, “The socio-economic growth here has retarded and tourism only can give it a boost.” During the years of violence, the people of the region have only heard guns resounding. However, attempts are now being made to explore the other side and bring some respite to the people.
	3 held for man’s murder in Udhampur Jammu, March 7 The Udhampur police today claimed to have solved a mysterious murder case by arresting a person and his two sons, who were allegedly involved in killing of a man. The accused were identified as Kunju Ram, his sons, Bodh Raj and Subash Chander, all residents of Chakal village in Ramnagar tehsil. The police said the accused allegedly murdered a man, identified as Sudesh Kumar of Chakal village, after the latter developed illicit relations with Kunju Ram’s wife. A police spokesperson said it had recovered the body of the deceased from a 100-metre deep gorge at Chakal village on February 17, after locals raised an alarm. “The investigators came to know through reliable sources that the deceased was in an illicit relationship with Kunju Ram’s wife, who was found missing from his residence, which raised the suspicion,” the spokesperson said. He was put on sustained interrogation during which he broke down and disclosed that the deceased used to visit his house and had developed illicit relations with his wife. “The accused said he had spotted his wife and the deceased in an objectionable position at his residence. Few days later, he along with his sons hatched a conspiracy to eliminate him and invited him to his house for a drink. After being heavily drunk Sudesh left for his home. Kunju Ram and his sons followed him. Kunju caught hold of him while his sons started beating him with lathies and pushed him down a hillock,” the spokesperson added. — TNS
	PM’s Adviser visits Kupwara Our Correspondent Srinagar, March 7 TKA Nair, Adviser to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, visited Kupwara district today, an official said here. He said Nair took stock of the newly-constructed two room tenements for the Kashmiri Pandit migrants at Nuttnusa and Khumriyal. The 60 residential quarters are being constructed at a cost of Rs 7.75 lakh each and would accommodate a total of 160 Pandit families, the official added. The Adviser to the Prime Minister also visited the Help Foundation and the Self Employed Women Association (SEWA), which provides training to 30 women in various trades in Kupwara. Later, he distributed solar lanterns to several beneficiaries. Nair was accompanied by Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Home Affairs (Kashmir Affairs), K Skandan; Director, Prime Minister’s Office, Dheeraj Gupta; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Hassan Samoon; Director, Social Welfare, Kashmir, Hilal Ahmad Parray; Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Mohammad Shafi Rather and other officials.
	HC sets aside trial court verdict Legal Correspondent Jammu, March 7 Justice Mansoor Ahmed Mir of the J&K High Court of Judicature here has quashed an August 10, 2005 trial court order whereby proceedings against Manohar Lal, MLA, under Section 409, RPC, were dropped. The petitioner, Labhu Ram, had been prosecuted allegedly at the insistence of Manohar Lal, president of the Jagriti Manch and now an MLA and Minister of State, to take vengeance on him for appearing as a witness against the MLA in a complaint filed by Duni Chand. On account of the false proceedings against him, Labhu Ram had been facing trial since 2000. The trial court found it expedient to put the MLA to notice to show cause as to why he should not pay compensation to Labhu Ram. The trial court, keeping in view the fact that the respondent was an MLA and enjoyed a good reputation in the area, dropped the proceedings against him in its judgement of March 12, 2005. The High Court, while setting aside the order of the trial court, observed: “The trial court has virtually passed an illegal order, which on the face of it is against the basic principle of law and is a case of travesty of justice. The trial court had to pass the order while keeping in view the mandate of Section 250, CrPC, which has not been done. I deem it proper to set aside the order and remand the case back to the trial court with a direction to pass fresh orders after hearing the petitioner-accused and the respondent-informant within two months and report compliance.”
	Rates of mutton, chicken fixed in Valley Srinagar, March 7 The government has fixed the rates of essential supplies, especially mutton, chicken and milk in the Valley. A meeting of the officials concerned presided over by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Hassan Samoon, fixed the rates on Monday when Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather presented the budget in the Assembly in Jammu. The rate of dressed mutton, without offal was fixed at Rs 280 per kg. The retail rate of broiler chicken was fixed at Rs 90 per kg and the retail price of loose milk was fixed at Rs 25 per litre and pouch milk (toned) at Rs 30 per litre. These rates will come into force with immediate effect and will be applicable till further orders. The Divisional Commissioner, Srinagar, directed the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, and the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department to ensure strict implementation of rates and take stringent action in case of any violation, an official spokesman said. The meeting was attended by Director, CAPD; Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar; Director, Animal Husbandry; Commissioner, SMC; Director, Health Services, Kashmir; Deputy Controller, Legal Metrology; presidents of Kothdar Association and various otherAssociations. — TNS