The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	3 of family die as van falls into Chenab Raju William Tribune News Service Udhampur, March 24 Three members of a family, including two minors, were killed today as their stationed vehicle accidentally rolled down into the Chenab near the Ragi nullah on the Batote-Kishtwar national highway in Doda district. The deceased have been identified as Ruby, 26, and her daughters Iqra (3) and Ishrata (5). Her husband Gul Mohammad of Chapnari village near Doda reportedly fell unconscious on seeing the vehicle rolling down into the Chenab. He was brought to District Hospital, Doda, by the police after receiving information from passersby. Both the vehicle and the three bodies were recovered thereafter. Gul Mohammad, who was injured, told the police after regaining consciousness at the hospital that the incident took place around 8.30 am near the Ragi nullah about 28 km from Doda. He had parked his Maruti van on the roadside after its front tyre got punctured. He was going to Jammu along with his family to visit a relative. He claimed that while he was changing the wheel, one of his daughters was fiddling with the gear, as a result of which the vehicle got into neutral mode and rolled down into the Chenab. However, his father-in-law Manzoor Ahmed Bhat alleged foul play into the incident because Gul Mohammad was a professional driver and it was hard to believe that he had parked the vehicle without applying the handbrake in the mountainous terrain. Bhat also alleged that his daughter and son-in-law used to quarrel frequently. Officials said a case had been registered at the Doda police station and investigations were on. Meanwhile, the police has handed over the bodies to Bhat.
	Ramban road accident Bus was being rashly driven, recall passengers Ravi Krishnan Khajuria/TNS Jammu, March 24 Most of the them, being masons and labourers from Bihar, Nepal and Jammu, were on their way to Srinagar to eke out a living and support their penury-ridden families back home. Little did they know that the bus driver’s callousness would cut short lives of five of them and render 37 injured, 17 of them critically, near Nashri in Ramban district. While Rehman Ansari, a 35-year-old mason from Nepal, survived the mishap with a broken arm, his friends Zibrail and Shamsher were not so lucky. They were among the dead. “Like most of us, they had borrowed Rs 5,000 each on interest from a moneylender in our village to work in Srinagar for the next six months but they are no longer alive,” said Rehman Ansari from a hospital bed with a fractured left arm. “Their old parents will now have to return the borrowed money along with interest,” he added. Recalling the mishap, he said: “Around 11 pm, I along with four others boarded a bus from the Jammu bus stand for Srinagar. The driver, who appeared to be under the influence of drugs, was driving the vehicle rashly. Almost everyone on board had asked him to drive safely but he didn’t listen to us,” said Ansari. “I had been visiting Srinagar for work for the past seven years but had never come across such a reckless driver.” “Around 3.30 am, the bus went off road and plunged into a gorge. I heard screams and shrills of fellow passengers before losing consciousness. I regained consciousness in the hospital only to learn that Zibrail and Shamsher are no more,” he added. Ansari, who had worked in Dubai and Qatar for 10 years before visiting Kashmir for work, vows never to return. Another passenger, 24-year-old Mohammed Iqbal of Hasplot in Thannamandi, also blamed the driver for the accident. “The passengers kept telling him to drive cautiously on the mountainous highway but he was under the influence of drugs and ended up killing five of us,” said Iqbal, a labourer who was also going to Srinagar for work. Iqbal has suffered multiple fractures in both legs. “Since it was dark, I could only hear screams and shrills of the passengers as the bus fell into the gorge,” he said. Shah Faisal, another labourer from Thannamandi, who sustained serious injuries, whispered: “I kept telling the driver to drive safely but he ignored my pleas.” Three others from the same village were also also on board the ill-fated bus. One of them, Mohammed Rafiq, died in the mishap. Another injured passenger, Ramchand, from Khanna in Punjab said gas-cutters had to be used to retrieve five injured passengers from the mangled remains of the bus.
	Governor, CM convey condolences Jammu: Governor NN Vohra has expressed grief over the loss of precious human lives in a road accident near the Nashri nullah on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway today. In a message, the Governor conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the accident. He reiterated the need for all required measures being taken to reduce road accidents. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also expressed grief over the loss of precious human lives on the national highway near the Nashri nullah. He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and showed solidarity with them. Omar directed the district administration and the Health Department for providing all necessary medical treatment to the injured.
	Pilgrims throng Mata Vaishno Devi shrine Devinder Thakur Katra, March 24 Heavy rush of pilgrims was witnessed at the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, nestled in the Trikuta hills of Reasi, as the Navratra festival entered its second day today. “Over 70,000 pilgrims have visited the holy shrine in two days, while a large number of pilgrims are arriving at the base camp of Katra,” an official of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said here. Heavy rush of pilgrims has been witnessed at Katra, they said. On the first day, over 35,000 pilgrims from various parts of the country visited the shrine. With this, the number of pilgrims visiting the shrine since January 1 has touched the figure of 12.74 lakh. The shrine board, while taking up measures to accommodate the pilgrims, has made special arrangements to perform “havan” and “puja” at the Bhawan during the course of the festival. It has also arranged “Shattchandi Maha Yagya” and other traditional rituals at the shrine.
	Farooq ‘rues’ joining politics Dinesh Manhotra/TNS Jammu, March 24 Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and president of the National Conference (NC) Dr Farooq Abdullah today said had he accepted the advice of his father, he (Farooq) would have been living a peaceful life in some part of the world. Farooq said this while releasing a book of Socialist Democratic Party leader Darakhshan Andrabi here this afternoon. “Darakhshan is a good writer, but the wrong thing is that she is also a politician. I give her a sincere advise that politics is a very dirty game,” Farooq said. He added, “My father had advised me in this regard. Had I accepted his advice at that time I would have been living a peaceful life.” “It is not possible for politicians to live a peaceful life because they (politicians) have more enemies that friends,” he observed, adding that in politics even friends became foes within no time. While suggesting Darakshan to concentrate on literacy activities, Farooq said, “Politics is a dirty game. Those who are close to you are more jealous of you.” While revealing names of some eminent writers, Farooq said only those writers earned name and fame, who remained confined to literary works only. “It is all due to the pressure of the politics that Farooq Abdullah, even at this age, availed all opportunities to sing or dance,” an emotionally-charged Union Minister said. “I sometimes tried to relax this tension by sitting alone in a room.” Earlier, Farooq released a Kashmiri poetry collection of Darakhshan namely “Chaman Barg Rez”.
	CPM exploring possibility of Third Front: Karat Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, March 24 Asserting that people are fed up with the pro-rich policies being propagated by the Congress and BJP, general secretary of the CPM Prakash Karat today said his party was exploring the possibility of forming a Third Front in the country. Interacting with media persons after addressing a convention of the state unit of the party, Karat said results of the recently held elections in Uttar Pradesh were clear indications that the base of both the Congress and BJP was shrinking and people were looking for other alternatives. “We are working to provide a non-Congress and non-BJP alternative in the country,” he said and exuded confidence that an effective alternative would be provided to the people. “Our party would like to see a strengthening of the non-Congress and non-BJP forces in the country,” he said and added that both the Congress and BJP were giving protection to corruption at the highest level. While lambasting the Congress, Karat highlighted various scams in the UPA government. He mentioned about illegal mining in Karnataka to corner the BJP on corruption issue. “Both these parties are furthering the interests of capitalists so one cannot expect any serious efforts from them to contain corruption,” he observed. When his attention was drawn towards the statement of Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, who has predicted midterm polls, Karat said, “I have not read the statement. It is not the question of midterm elections, the question is how has the government at the Centre been functioning,” he said. He added, “The UPA has a majority in Parliament because some parties are still supporting it so chances of midterm polls are bleak.” The CPM general secretary refused to comment on the performance of the National Conference-Congress government in Jammu and Kashmir and the recent exposure of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association scam. Earlier, addressing the rally, Karat called for strengthening of the CPM and building a unity of the Left and democratic forces in the country. “The people are suffering from continuous price rise, massive corruption and shrinking job opportunities. It is necessary to have a Left and democratic alternative,” he said. He appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir not to be divided on communal lines. Efforts to divide people on communal lines are being made by forces on both sides. He criticised the Central government for its failure to initiate a political dialogue to ensure a political solution for the problems in the state. State secretary of the CPM MY Tarigami and Mohammad Saleem, member, Central Committee, also spoke on the occasion.
	Preparedness to face calamities imperative, says Omar Tribune News Service Srinagar, March 24 The government is working on a comprehensive flood protection project to increase the intake capacity of major rivers by taking several measures. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said this while addressing a function after inaugurating a Rs 21.38 crore dredging scheme at Jati, Duabgah and Ningli in Baramulla district today. Highlighting the necessity of preparedness to tackle eventualities and calamities, the Chief Minister said floods had always been a threat to life and property in the state. He added that preventive measures were necessary in this direction. “We should be amply prepared and alert to the threats of heavy floods so that we are not caught unawares at the time of emergency,” he said on the occasion. He said the comprehensive flood protection project included the need to increase the intake capacity of major rivers, strengthen bunds, revive flood channels and introduce long term and short term measures. He said the dredging operation in the Jhelum was part of this strategy. “We feel satisfied by constructing bridges, roads, schools, colleges, water supply installations and similar other development schemes for positive public use. But when we create flood protection facilities we pray to the God that we may not be compelled to put these measures in use,” he said and stressed on the preparedness and alertness of the administration and people to face the challenges of nature. Omar said the importance of dredging of the Jhelum could be visualised by the fact that the first dredger was inaugurated by former Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru at Baramulla during the times of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah some 60 years ago. The dredging operation had continued from 1959 to 1986. The scheme was revived by the Chief Minister today in presence of Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Taj Mohiuddin and Minister of State for Roads and Buildings Javaid Ahmad Dar.
	Big relief for educated unemployed youth 91,000 jobless individuals to get stipend Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, March 24 To provide relief to educated unemployed youth of Jammu and Kashmir, the state government has decided to bring as many as 91,000 unemployed youth under the ambit of Voluntary Service Allowance (VSA) to give them stipend. The VSA has announced under the Sher-e-Kashmir Employment Welfare Policy for Youth (SKEWPY) by the government two years ago. According to the Action Taken Report present in the current Budget session of the Assembly, during 2010-11, 24,724 candidates availed the benefits of the VSA scheme for an amount of Rs 939.22 lakh. In 2011-12, an amount worth Rs 804.98 lakh, by the end of August 2011, has been disbursed among 29,181 youth. “It is estimated that the expenditure of over Rs 40 crore shall be incurred due to relaxation in the eligibility norms notified vide government order No 51 L&E of 2011 dated 05-08-2011,” the document stated. The document pointed out that the scheme had been recast twice to make it more beneficial and to extend its scope to cover a larger number of unemployment youth. The amount of monthly VAS has been increased and the eligibility conditions have also been relaxed. Giving further details about the SKEWPY, the document stated that the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurs Development Institute (JKEDI) has been assigned a target of preparing 5,000 entrepreneurs under its entrepreneurship development programme (EDP), during the next five years under this scheme. “It has already started the training programme for preparing entrepreneurs under the seed capital scheme launched under the SKEWPY. So far, 44 batches of successful trainees have come out from the Srinagar and Jammu campuses of the Institute, comprising 1,624 entrepreneurs hailing from Kashmir, Ladakh and Jammu”, the document revealed, adding, “over 600 projects prepared for them are under examination for funding. Out of these projects, 316 cases involving investment of Rs 41 crore have already been approved by Jammu and Kashmir Bank, which is a strategic partner in the Seed Capital Scheme of the SKEWPY”. The JKEDI has been assigned the responsibility of promoting 5,000 enterprises in various sectors over a period of five years with a capacity to generate 50,000 job opportunities.
	Anti-encroachment drive launched Devinder Thakur Katra, March 24 Employees of the Municipal Committee, Katra, including food inspector Ajay Sangra, khilafarzi inspector Ashwani Sharma with naib tehsildar, Katra, Sher Singh, launched a drive against the menace of encroachment, polythene, unhygienic eatables at various outlets, reharis and shops of the town. The drive was carried out on the instructions of Reasi Deputy Commissioner Sheetal Nanda. It was launched at the main bazaar, lower bus stand, upper bazaar and Udhampur-Banganga road. The team carried out raids in shops to check the usage of polythene bags. The citizens impressed upon the department to make it a regular exercise to curb such illegal practices.
	Girl immolates herself, dies Tribune News Service Jammu, March 24 Unable to marry the man of her choice, a 21-year-old girl today allegedly immolated herself in the Arnas area of Mahore tehsil in Reasi district. The police said Pooja Devi, a resident of Kainthi Morh in Arnas, had received fatal burn injuries after she allegedly set herself on fire, at her residence in the Arnas area. “Pooja had a love affair with her elder sister’s brother-in-law and she wanted to get married to him. The boy’s family opposed the proposal that led to the incident,” sources close to family told The Tribune. The sources said the girl’s family members went to their elder daughter’s in-laws and made a proposal of marriage for their younger daughter. “The boy’s family objected to the proposal. The girl poured some inflammable material and set herself on fire following mental distress,” the sources added. The police said Pooja was shifted to Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, where she died.
	Soz inspects development works in Baramulla Tribune News Service Srinagar, March 24 Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz visited Nihalpora, Pattan and inspected various development programmes in Baramulla district today. He was accompanied by Minister for Youth Services and Sports RS Chib. Speaking on the occasion, Soz said the essential element of any political activity was to serve people and keeping this in view he had visited Nihalpora and Pattan, which lagged behind in development. Others present on the occasion included Gulam Nabi Monga, vice-president, JKPCC; Aftab Ahmad Beigh, working president, Baramulla; Jasbir Kour, mahila district president; and all block presidents of the district and sarpanches and panches of the area. Soz assured the people that he would personally ensure that an electric sub-station at Kalseri, Nihalpora, and a horticulture zone for provision of irrigation facility was provided to them. He also sanctioned a transformer for Mati Mohalla in Nihalpora and fencing for Middle School at Warpora. The Minister for Youth Services and Sports told the people that he was taking a personal interest in the promotion of sports activities in the state and provision of Rs 15 lakh for a sports field at Nihalpora was part of the same programme.
	Gujjar heritage exhibits on display in Jammu Tribune News Service Jammu, March 24 Governor NN Vohra’s wife Usha Vohra today visited the Gujjar Heritage Exhibition and praised the event being organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages at Kala Kendra. She went around the stalls put up in the exhibition and evinced a keen interest in the items on display, particularly jewellery, handicrafts products, blowups, photographs and books projecting the culture of the Gujjars and Bakerwals. She also expressed her gratitude to the Academy for holding the rare exhibition wherein the real culture of the Gujjars and Bakerwals was exhibited in a well organised manner. In the comment book she recorded, “I'm delighted to see the traditional Gujjar-Bakerwal art and artifacts .I have found the exhibits fascinating.” Usha Vohra also inquired about various items on display. Dr Javaid Rahi, Chief Editor, Gojri, while briefing the wife of the Governor about the exhibition said a total of 900 exhibits were on display in the five galleries at Kala Kendra. The exhibition started on March 19 and will conclude on March 25. He informed the Governor’s wife that a number of individuals and NGOs had contributed to the exhibits for the Gujjar Heritage Fair.
	PHE casual staff hold protest Rajouri, March 24 Temporary employees of the Public Health Engineering Department Rajouri took to the streets demanding fulfilment of their demands here today. The temporary employees as well as daily wagers of the PHE Department, under the banner of the PHE Daily Wagers’ Union, held a protest in front of the Executive Engineer’s office in support of their demands. Mohammed Wahid, president, Casual Labor Union, said hundreds of casual workers registered their protest. He said the government had failed to fulfill their demands. He said the government had given assurances about fulfilling their demands but failed to initiate action in this regard. “There is no official record of these employees working in the department,” he claimed. As a result, only 100 officials were regularised, whereas 252 candidates were awaiting regularisation. “When the government does not have any record, it should not adopt pick and choose policy,” he said. “The government should prepare a proper database and service records of its employees, both permanent and temporary, and regularise them accordingly.” He said during a meeting with their deputation, PHE Minister and the Chief Engineer had assured them of fulfilling their demands soon. “The higher officials of the PHE department in Rajouri did not provide the official record of 152 workers,” he claimed. — OC
	‘Anti-Gujjar text’ Students’ body seeks action against publisher Rajouri, March 24 The Rajouri-Poonch Student Union organisation has pointed out some anomalies in ‘Noor Urdu Grammar’ published by ABEE Books for class VI students. They have sought action against the publisher for publishing “anti-Gujjar” text in the book. Addressing mediapersons here today, the union representatives said the Gujjar community had been shown in poor light in the book. While the students have accused certain government functionaries for promoting the book, the Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education, Jammu, has already refuted allegations of having any links with the book or its publisher. Meanwhile, the student union has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Education Officer, Rajouri. — OC
	Now, it’ll pay to go green Rs 50,000 reward for institution with highest number of successful plantations Tribune News Service Srinagar, March 24 In order to give a fillip to the plantation drive in Kashmir, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Hassan Samoon has announced a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for any educational institute or institution that has the highest number of successful plantations. The second prize would be Rs 30,000 and third prize Rs 20,000. This announcement was made during a plantation drive at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Amirakadal, an official spokesman said. The reward would be paid in cash along with a citation certificate in the next spring. The reward would be based on the number of saplings planted, which would still be existing at the time of assessment. This initiative is expected to give a fillip to the plantation drive and ensure that plants survive. The plantation drive has been organised by DFO, Urban Forestry Division, Srinagar. Those present on the occasion included DFO, Srinagar, Syed Abid Nazir; Principal of the college Nayeema; Joint Director, Education, GM Dar; Deputy Controller, Civil Defence, Rafiq Ahmed and representatives of the Horticulture, Floriculture and Social forestry Departments. The Divisional Commissioner along with his entire staff, including Additional Commissioners Abdul Majid Mir and Abdul Majid Wani, and Assistant Commissioner, Central, Mir Tasaduq Hussain, Aamir Ali, OSD, and others planted fruit trees, chinar and pine trees in the office complex. Samoon said everyone should adopt a tree and gave a slogan “each 1, plant 10”.