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Security stepped up ahead of PC’s visit to Vaishno Devi
Katra ponywalas on strike today
Omar, Chidambaram likely to discuss AFSPA
Utility innovations vie for attention, space in markets
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NC-Cong committee takes more decisions
Protest against erratic power supply, Poonch-Mandi Road blocked
No unregistered pilgrim will be allowed: Police
Soz kickstarts campaign for civic bodies elections
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief Saifuddin Soz addresses a rally in Jammu on Monday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma BJP concerned over human rights violation in Gilgit-Baltistan
Kashmiri Pandit body protests ‘illegal sale’ of temple
Army urged to uphold human rights
Kashmiri Pandits’ struggle gains momentum
Kashmiri Pandits along with some local Kashmiri residents hold a protest against the ‘illegal sale’ of the Vaital Bhairav temple in Srinagar on Monday. Photo: Amin War
Fresh survey to monitor crop production in Jammu
Apathy plagues dist hospital in Poonch
Government Hospital at Poonch which lacks basic facilities. A Tribune photograph
Boy falls from train, injured
6 hurt in road mishaps
Man, sister-in-law jump before train
Pak national arrested near LoC in Poonch
Two youth hurt in motorcycle-bus collision
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Security stepped up ahead of PC’s visit to Vaishno Devi
Katra, April 9 Tight security arrangements have been put in place in Katra town - the base camp of cave shrine en-route to the Bhawan. Additional troops of police and paramilitary forces have been deployed along the 13-kilometre-long track. Besides there being tight security, checking in hotels and lodges has been intensified. Hoteliers have been asked to stay alert and keep a vigil on visitors. Chidambaram is scheduled to arrive here on Tuesday morning from New Delhi. After being received at Jammu Airport, the Home Minister would fly to the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi and pay obeisance to the Goddess. He would trek about three kilometres from Sanjhi Chhat to Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan and offer prayers at the holy cave shrine. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram would hold a security review here during his one-day visit to Jammu on April 10. Police sources said the Union Home Minister would review security arrangements at Vaishno Devi Bhawan, the 13-kilometre track and base camp of Katra with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) officials and security agencies responsible for security of the shrine and other places including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jammu and Kashmir Police. |
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Katra ponywalas on strike today
Katra, April 9 Singh added that they were struggling hard for their rights, but no one was paying attention to their problems. He said it was an irony that the labourers were getting low wages. Singh said that talks with the authorities concerned for early redressal of their demands had failed so they had decided to go on strike on April 10 and had appealed to the authorities of the Municipal Committee, Katra, to solve their problems at the earliest.
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Omar, Chidambaram likely to discuss AFSPA
Jammu, April 9 Sources privy to the Chief Minister told The Tribune that Omar was likely to reiterate his stand of repealing the AFSPA from peaceful areas of the state during his meeting with the Union Home Minister. Besides reviewing the security scenario, Chidambaram will also look into the aspects of reducing paramilitary troops from urban areas, reduction of bunkers from Srinagar and will get feedback on the AFSPA vis-à-vis its revocation from peaceful areas, they said. The sources added that the Omar-led government had already conveyed the drastic improvement and return of peace in Jammu, Kathua, Srinagar and Budgam districts to the UPA government, particularly the Home Minister. “The government has already suggested to the Centre to assess the ground situation in these four districts where the situation is normal and militancy has almost died down,” said a senior Home Department official, who wished anonymity. While the National Conference and the PDP keep on airing their concern over the AFSPA, coalition partner Congress prefers to maintain silence over the AFSPA issue. However, security forces, particularly the Army, describe APSPA as an indispensable tool for them to fight the Pak-sponsored militancy in the state. “The Army has already made its stand clear to the Defence Ministry on the issue, which in turn did the requisite work with the Home Ministry,” said sources in the Army. In an exclusive conversation with The Tribune, the Chief Minister had said the AFSPA had to go from the state, but at a right time. |
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Utility innovations vie for attention, space in markets
Srinagar, April 9 And with Parray himself having come up with an innovation, an electric spinning wheel named “Rehman Yaender” recently, Parray’s work was recognised, but his product, just like many other local innovations, is yet to find a prominent place in the market. Parray, who was felicitated at an innovators’ meet held at Kashmir University recently, said, “My father got no support from the state government and his innovation got forgotten in due course. I am glad that now my work is being honoured but I would be happier if local innovations are freely available in the market.” The list of useful innovations made with the support of Grassroots Innovation and Augmentation Network (GIAN) cell is long, but only a couple of products have so far caught the attention of potential buyers. The cell has received nine national awards and innovated 25 prototypes that include modified kerosene stove, walnut cracking machine, blanket washing machine, electric painting brush, pole climber and singing lantern. But so far, only the pole climber and walnut cracking machine are ready to be marketed. “The Power Development Department has ordered pole climbers while the walnut cracking machine has caught the eye of buyers in Australia,” said GIAN cell J-K chairman Prof G Mohiudin Bhat. “Most of our products are marketable locally as well as internationally. Our endeavours are still in their infancy and we need support including that of the media so that people and buyers come to know about our innovations. Besides developing 25 prototypes, we have documented 1,200 technology innovation ideas and scouted for 2,500 traditional knowledge practices,” he added. Another significant innovation made with the support of the GIAN cell is a car for differently abled persons. The car was innovated by cancer biologist Dr Arshad Pandit, who had been paralysed below the waist after being hit by a stray bullet during a gunfire in 1995. |
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NC-Cong committee takes more decisions
Jammu, April 9 The meeting of the coordination committee, which lasted for an hour, decided to constitute Vigilance Commission, Backward Classes Commission and fill vacant posts in the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission. Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Saif ud Din Soz who is chairman of the Coordination Committee told The Tribune that the meeting also decided to conduct Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections in the state to ensure trickling down of democracy to the grassroots level. When asked about the status of the decisions taken in the last coordination committee, Soz said as a chairman of the committee, he has been following the decisions taken by the panel. “In the last meeting, we had recommended enhancement of reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from the present 2 per cent to 4 per cent”, he reminded, adding that as chairman, he has been following all recommendations. In the last meeting, it was also decided to hold Block Samitis and Zila Parishad elections of Panchayats but nothing has been done so far in this regard. Congress had taken a stand on incorporating 73rd amendment of the Indian Constitution in the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act. Soz said that it was decided in the meeting that officers of high integrity and repute would be appointed as members of Public Service Commission (PSC). He said that it was decided that vacant posts in the PSC should be filled. On holding of the much-awaited urban local bodies elections, Soz said the meeting has decided that elections should be held as early as possible. |
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Protest against erratic power supply, Poonch-Mandi Road blocked
Poonch, April 9 Residents said despite repeated representations, PDD authorities had failed to provide regular power supply, as due to rise in unscheduled power-cuts, especially in the last two months, students have been unable to continue their studies. “This is a hilly area and the schools are located at far-off places. Students reach their homes in the evening. Unscheduled power-cuts disrupt their studies,” said a parent. SHO Poonch Sanjeev Singh, along with the AEE PDD, rushed to the spot and pacified the protesters, saying their demand for stoppage of unscheduled cuts will be met. |
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Amarnath Yatra 2012
Srinagar, April 9 After the meeting, a police spokesperson said it had been decided that no unregistered pilgrim would be entertained for the yatra. Various security-related issues as regards the pilgrimage were also discussed during the meeting besides contingency plans in case of any weather calamities during the yatra. Last week,DGP Kuldeep Khoda too had chaired a meeting of police, civil and paramilitary officers to discuss security arrangements for the smooth conduct of the yatra.
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Soz kickstarts campaign for civic bodies elections
Jammu, April 9 Addressing a meeting of party workers of Jammu city, Soz announced that the Congress had started a campaign for the urban local bodies elections and the party would fight these elections with full force. The JKPCC chief did not mention when the elections would be held. He, however, asked party cadre to be prepared for these elections. He exuded confidence that the Congress would perform beyond expectations in urban local bodies, especially in the JMC, because the BJP had been exposed before people. Today’s speech of Soz was significant because some Congress ministers and legislators during their meeting with Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on April 1, had sought his (Azad’s) intervention to get the urban local bodies elections postponed for the time being. Although Azad had not made any commitment with those, who were demanding the postponement of the elections, some leaders of his (Azad’s) faction were working overtime to delay these elections. As the state unit of the BJP has been demoralised by the cross voting controversy and split in the party, Congress leadership, especially those belonging to the Soz faction, want the elections to be conducted as early as possible because situation was favourable for the party. There is a feeling among the Soz faction that victory in these elections would strengthen the position of JKPCC chief. Later, talking to reporters, Soz said some party workers had brought to his notice that the National Conference was trying to delay the elections. “I will take up the issue in the Coordination Committee meeting of the coalition partners today,” he said. On the scheduled visit of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, Soz said the Home Minister would hold a meeting with Congress leaders at Jammu to discuss some important issues with them. On the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Soz reiterated that all stakeholders should be taken into confidence before taking a final decision. |
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BJP concerned over human rights violation in Gilgit-Baltistan
Jammu, April 9 He lashed out at the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre and the Congress-NC coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir for their indifferent attitude to both the issues. Jitendra Singh disclosed that the entire Gilgit-Baltistan was under virtual siege for the last several days while street clashes and riots continued unabated despite imposition of curfew by the Pakistan authorities. Quoting prominent Gilgit leaders, including Senge Sering, Director, Institute of Gilgit-Baltistan Studies, Washington, Jitendra alleged that the Pakistan authorities were indulging in oppression and were killing innocent people in the region, under the guise of Shia-Sunni riots, which was not true. He said people in Gilgit-Baltistan lived in peace and harmony, but were imprisoned, tortured and killed by administrators of the Pakistan government even on demanding their basic fundamental, democratic and human rights. Jitendra reminded the UPA government that constitutionally Gilgit-Baltistan was a part of India and therefore it was obligatory for New Delhi to intervene. He also made a dig at the state government whose senior minister had the audacity to state during the recently concluded Assembly session that Gilgit-Baltistan was not an issue of the state government. |
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Kashmiri Pandit body protests ‘illegal sale’ of temple
Srinagar, April 9 Members of the APMCC and some local Muslims gathered near the
Vaital Bhairav temple at Motiyar in Rainawari and raised slogans against Dharmarth Trust. Chairman, APMCC, Vinod Pandit alleged that Dharmarth Trust was selling the Vaital Bhairav temple land in connivance with land mafia that would damage the “Kashmiriyat” and the heritage of the Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley. He also appealed to the civil society to support their cause. “Even during the Pathan rule, the Vaital Bhairav temple was safe, but it is ironical that under the Omar-led regime, Dharmarth Trust has indulged in open loot of temples in the state,” Vinod Pandit added. APMCC leader Ashiq Hussain Dar demanded a CBI probe into the whole affair and accused the government of only raising “hollow slogans” in the name of rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandits. Vinod said they would hold a massive demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on April 8 to protest the sale of the Vaital Bhairav temple. |
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Army urged to uphold human rights
Srinagar, April 9 In his welcome address, GoC, Victor Force, Maj Gen Gurdeep Singh said the aim of conducting the seminar was to reiterate the importance of respecting human rights. The guest speakers included DG, Investigation, NHRC, Sunil Krishna; Lt Gen (retd) Mohan Bhandari; Brigadier Sudhir Rai; Commandant, 92 Base Hospital, Vijay Kumar and editor ETV Rajesh Raina. Krishna spoke on the global perspective of human rights with special reference to Jammu and Kashmir while Bhandari talked about human rights aspects in military operations. Rai threw light on stress management while Kumar gave a presentation on police perception on human rights. — TNS |
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Temple land encroachment
Jammu, April 9 The Jammu and Kashmir Vichar Manch, All India Kashmiri Samaj, Pt Prem Nath Bhat Memorial trust, Roots in Kashmir, Kashmiri Pandit Sabha, Amphalla, all the local prabandhak committees and others Pandit bodies have joined hands to fight for the passage of the Temple and Shrine Bill. Arzan Nath Pandita, chairman, Pt Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust while talking to The Tribune said, “This time all the organisations are fighting against temple land encroachments and introduction and passage of the Temple and Shrine Bill.” “About 35 Kashmiri Pandit bodies have joined hands with us. Also, intellectuals of the community have joined us. We will start our peaceful march from the Kashmiri Pandit Sabha, Amphalla, on March 15 and them we will move towards Raj Bhawan where we will submit a memorandum of our demands,” Arzan Pandita added. Members participating in the movement informed that as a part of their fight for the passage of the Bill, they had met all political parties, including the PDP, which had assured them not to oppose the Bill, if tabled. |
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Fresh survey to monitor crop production in Jammu
Jammu, April 9 Under the project, field functionaries, who have been trained by the Agriculture department, will collect random samples from farmlands, which will be put to scientific analysis to create a database of production and trends in productivity during the last few years. The results of this exercise for maize are anticipated by the end of November while for paddy the results are expected by the end of December. The exercise is expected to bring out a clear picture of productivity of different crops and indicate the impact of improved technology and inputs. According to the data, Jammu province has less production of crops as compared to the Kashmir region. The productivity of rice in the Jammu region is 16 quintals per hectare, wheat 15.44 quintals per hectare and maize 18.77 quintals per hectare. The rice production
per hectare in Kashmir is 35 quintals, wheat 21 quintals and maize 18 quintals per hectare. Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir said increasing the production of crops was important to make the state self-sufficient in food grains. “If we do not increase the production, it will affect our future planning and development targets. So we are making use of thelatest technology to improve production.” Alarmed over the decreasing production, supply of fertilisers in the state is also being revamped, with the government allowing more companies to supply these (fertilisers) to Jammu and Kashmir. There has been an increase in the use of fertilisers in the state from 1.98 lakh metric tonnes in 2009 to 2.26 lakh metric tonnes in 2011. “The fertiliser consumption in the state is expected to touch 2.28 lakh metric tonnes in 2012. For the first time, buffer stocks of the urea at the level of 500 metric tonnes was maintained for emergency intervention, which has now been authorised by the Centre to be scaled up to the level of 10,000 metric tonnes,” said an official. To increase the seed replacement rate, seed multiplication farms are being strengthened by developing land, irrigation storage, infrastructure and farm mechanisation under the Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Yojana. |
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Apathy plagues dist hospital in Poonch
Poonch, April 9 The district hospital was upgraded in December 2010 with the promise that the hospital will get all vacant posts fulfilled. Previously, it was 80-bedded. On demand of locals, it was upgraded to 200-bedded status. A new building, 120-bedded, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with great fanfare. Upgradation of this hospital brought a ray of hope that the premises would be equipped with staff as well as other facilities, but after a gap of more than one year, instead of providing more staff, the health department has transferred some doctors from this hospital to Jammu. At present, more than 75% posts in the district hospital are lying vacant. “Due to shortage of doctors, especially specialists, the hospital has turned into a first-aid hospital. Whenever we bring a patient here, the authorities refer the patients to BMC Jammu, which is often inconveniencing,” said Sanjay Raina, a local resident. Health Minister Sham Lal, on his various visits to Poonch, promised to provide staff, but all to no avail. “Whenever we admit a patient here, we remain vigilant as due to shortage of specialists at any time, the patient could be shifted to Jammu,” said another local resident Nisar Ahmed. The district hospital authorities face lots of difficulties when an accident takes place, as the emergency block has only 20 beds with limited basic facilities. Superintendent Hospital Dr Niaz Choudhary, talking to The Tribune, disclosed that the District Hospital Poonch is functioning only on 25% staff. “Against six sanctioned posts of grade-A specialists, we have only one gynaecologist. Against 25 posts of grade-B specialists, we have only nine and against 33 sanctioned posts of assistant surgeons, we have only six. Fifteen out of 20 posts of senior nurses, 12 out of 20 posts of junior nurses and nine out of 10 posts of junior pharmacists are lying vacant,” he said. “Due to acute shortage of staff, we are unable to deal with rising number of patients in the district hospital. The matter has already been discussed with the higher authorities,” said Dr Niaz. DDC Poonch Ajeet Kumar Sahu, admitting the shortage of staff in the district hospital, said, “I have submitted a report to the higher authorities that the district hospital needs staff, especially specialists immediately, so that the functioning of the hospital can be managed smoothly.” |
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Boy falls from train, injured
Jammu, April 9 The injured has been identified as Mangeet, a resident of Trikuta Nagar. Some passengers informed the Railway police, which later alerted the Railway authorities. Mangeet was shifted to GMCH, Jammu, where his condition was stated to be critical. — TNS
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Batote, April 9 In another accident at Mehad in Ramban, a person identified as Shamsher Singh of Trikuta Nagar, Jammu was injured when a Srinagar-bound truck collided head-on with his Zen Estilo car. He was also referred to GMCH, Jammu, from District Hospital, Ramban. — OC |
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Man, sister-in-law jump before train
Jammu, April 9 The bizarre incident occurred today around 6.30 am at Chandma near Chadwal in Kathua district when both, in a bid to end their lives, jumped before a Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU), which was on its way to Jammu from Pathankot. Official sources told The Tribune that Krishan Chand, a truck driver, and his sister-in-law, were hiding near the railway tracks at Chandma this morning. “As soon as the DMU reached Chandma, both, who were hiding behind the bushes near the tracks, jumped before it,” they said. Sources further said Krishan Chand was run over to death instantly while his sister-in-law was critically injured. Subsequently, a police team reached the spot and shifted both of them to the Sub-District Hospital at Hiranagar where doctors declared Krishan Chand as brought dead while his sister-in-law, who had sustained multiple injuries, was referred to Government Medical College here.
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Pak national arrested near LoC in Poonch
Poonch, April 9 The youth was arrested at 9.30 am. He had infiltrated into India via Mudar Pur in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The youth was in Army custody when reports last came in. The arrested youth has been identified as Mohammad Sharif, son of Choudhary Ban Mohammad of Troti Abbaspur in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. An identity card and around Rs 2,000 of Indian currency were recovered from him. |
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Two youth hurt in motorcycle-bus collision
Poonch, April 9 Block Medical Officer, Surankote, Dr Shamim told The Tribune that as the patients were serious, after being given first aid, the two were shifted to GMC Jammu for further treatment. |
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Security has been stepped up in Katra town of Reasi district ahead of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s scheduled visit to the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi cave shrine on April 10.
While some party ministers have expressed their reservation over conducting of the urban local bodies elections at this juncture, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz today kickstarted a campaign for the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) elections.
General Officer Commanding (GoC), 15 Corps, Lt Gen SA Hasnain today urged Army personnel deployed in the Kashmir valley to uphold human rights during ground operations. Speaking during a seminar on human rights organised by the Army at Awantipora in Pulwama district, Hasnain highlighted the importance of upholding human rights. “Upholding human rights would also enhance the image of the Army,” he added.
After the issue of “illegal” cutting of trees and encroachment of the Vaital Bhairav temple land at Rainawari in
Srinagar, about 35 Kashmiri Pandit organisations have decided to come together to launch a movement against encroachments on temple land in Kashmir.
Maharaja Sukhdev Singh District Hospital, Poonch, which was once a prime health institution in Poonch state prior to 1947, has lost its identity. Due to step-motherly treatment by the state government, it has now turned into a first aid hospital. It is running on only 25% staff.
The protesters said they had been facing acute power shortage for the past several weeks. They accused the PDD authorities and district administration of acting as mute spectators.