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Resign or face jehadi wrath, LeT warns sarpanches
PDP bridged gap between different regions: Mufti
Kashmiri Pandits shun misgivings, take up jobs in Kashmir valley
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Darbars held at Poonch to solve residents’ problems
Media should also highlight good work: Governor
No change in Army’s stand on AFSPA: Lt Gen Hasnain
4,000 TB cases detected in Jammu region in 2010-11
Heritage Week begins in Valley
Gujjars demand separate Tribal Ministry in state
AFSPA raised to divert attention from NC worker’s death: PDP
Pahari-speaking people seek
ST status
Pak-returned youth held in Mendhar
TV producers seek ouster of ‘corrupt’ DD official
Govt employees hold protest for job regularisation
Governor briefed about audit report
Governor, Jora discuss Amarnath yatra arrangements
Shopian official suspended
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Resign or face jehadi wrath, LeT warns sarpanches
Srinagar, April 16 “The leadership of the LeT requests the elected sarpanches and panches not to wait any more and submit their resignations to the state government through advertisements,” reads a poster of the LeT. A number of such posters have been pasted in various villages of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. There are around 33,000 sarpanches and panches across the state who were elected last year on non-party basis after a gap of more than 20 years. This is for the first time that militants have asked the panches and sarpanches to resign and threatened them with dire consequences. “Kashmiri people are facing trouble for the past 23 years and the state government is using you (panches and sarpanches) to target innocent people of Kashmir,” reads the poster written in Urdu, which has been issued by the LeT district commander whose name has not been mentioned. “This is the reason that we warn you that you should resign within a week. If you don’t, all the jehadi groups will unite to act against you,”it said. The police said it was investigating the authenticity of these posters. “We have picked up three boys and we are investigating. But we have yet to establish whether these posters are authentic or not,” said Superintendent of Police, Pulwama, Amit Kumar. Police sources said they were also trying to find out whether the posters were the result of any political rivalry. Many of the sarpanches from Pulwama said the posters were a matter of concern. “We are not associated with any political party, yet we have got this threatening letter. Our families are really worried,” said a 60-year-old sarpanch from Pulwama. Another sarpanch, Ali Mohammad, said sarpanches did not have any security and were perturbed. “We contested the poll to solve local problems and it had nothing to do with the Kashmir issue. Since receiving the warning
letter, I have not gone outside my house,” Mohammad said. What the posters say
Kashmiri people are facing trouble for the past 23 years and the state government is using you (panches and sarpanches) to target innocent people of Kashmir. This is the reason that we warn you that you should resign within a week. If you don’t, all the jehadi groups will get united to act against you |
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PDP bridged gap between different regions: Mufti
Jammu, April 16 Addressing a function to welcome over 200 political workers from Hiranagar, who joined the PDP today, Mufti said since its formation, the party had been pursuing the agenda of unity to bridge the gap between different regions of the state. “It was only during the PDP-led regime that all regions of the state were politically empowered and equal treatment was given to all areas in development and other activities,” he said. Mufti reiterated that attaining power was not the only agenda of the party. “We want to change the present system and establish a new system where all sections of society get justice and equal opportunities for growth and development,” he asserted while seeking the cooperation of people to fulfil “the progressive” and “pro-people” agenda of the PDP. Taking a dig at the National Conference (NC) for adopting deceit tactics to remain in power, he said the NC had never allowed democracy to grow in the state. “Before the formation of the PDP, there was a single party domination in the state because the NC has never allowed any opposition to function,” he recalled. He said the biggest achievement of the PDP was restoring peoples’ faith in democracy and democratic institutions. “Unlike other parts of the country, the taste of democracy was denied to the people of Jammu and Kashmir because the NC has never allowed democratic institutions to flourish in the state,” he maintained. “With its tireless efforts, the PDP has restored peoples’ faith in democracy,” Mufti said and recalled that the Assembly elections in 2002 were the turning point in the history of the state that helped in reviving the faith of the people in democracy. Those who joined the PDP today included Shyam Singh, Puran Chand, Gopal Dass, Kulwant, Sheer Ali, Kuldeep Singh, Mirza Khan, Sahdev Singh, Anchal Chand, Master PC Sharma and Manohar Lal Sharma. |
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Kashmiri Pandits shun misgivings, take up jobs in Kashmir valley
Jammu, April 16 Raju Bhat, a teacher posted at Anantnag, said, “Initially we were scared of shifting to Kashmir, but after completing more than a year in the Valley, we have become habitual of things here.” “We are living in a temporary accommodation provided by the government and four people share a flat. It is difficult, but now we have got used to the situation. We connect with the people here and of course we feel at home,” he added. Nearly 1,706 migrant youth were engaged under the rehabilitation plan started in 2010 and have been posted in various parts of the Valley. They have been selected under the special recruitment drive launched by the government for the Pandit youth in February this year. Neetu Dhar, posted at Pattan, Baramulla, said, “Initially shifting here was a cultural shock for us, as we have never seen this kind of environment in Jammu. Life has got a bit disturbed.” “But still working in Kashmir is better than working in any other metropolitan city. We had left our home in Kashmir 20 years ago. Now if we have to stay here forever, we have to struggle again,” Neetu added. RELIEF PACKAGE
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Darbars held at Poonch to solve residents’ problems
Poonch, April 16 People of Hari, Marhot, Lathoong, Gunthal, Seri Khawaja, Seri Chowhana and Fagla villages got a chance to highlight their problems. The people projected various demands related to the Rural Development, Education, Public Health Engineering, Health, Public Works Department, Irrigation, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Departments and Integrated Child Development Services etc. The people demanded the extension of road works under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana to all the villages. They also demanded the fulfillment of vacant posts in various departments, especially the Education and Health Departments, as students and villagers were suffering due to lack of staff in these departments. They demanded more funds for backward villages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, establishment of PHC at Seri, blacktopping of the Hurmi Takki and Marhot roads. Some other issues were also raised on the occasion, which include the issuance of fresh ration cards, fresh survey of Below Poverty Line families and issuance of new election cards etc. The DDC, Poonch, listened to their problems patiently and directed the officers concerned for their early redress. The DDC said various development activities were smoothly going on in the district with the active cooperation and participation of the people. He asked panches and sarpanches to make concrete plans to address the basic needs of the people so that money provided by the government was properly utilised. |
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Media should also highlight good work: Governor
Addressing a gathering here this evening during a cultural programme “Jashn-e-Baharaan” organised jointly by the Inter Media Publicity Coordination Committee and the state Information Department at the University of Jammu, the Governor said he remembered the sorry state of affairs during the early 1990s, particularly in the Kashmir valley. “I frequently visited the state in the early 1990s in my official capacity and I still recall the unfortunate situation that prevailed from 1991 to 1994, particularly in the Valley,” the Governor said. He also highlighted the work being done by Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo for poor and neglected people. “Despite constraints, good work is being done by the Social Welfare Minister for the poor and neglected people. Likewise, PHE Minister Taj Mohiuddin has also set into motion various projects,” he said. He said though criticism was imperative for the media to ensure good governance, healthy developments should also be reported and highlighted. Earlier, Itoo and Taj in their respective addresses said despite challenges in the state, the media continued to perform its task religiously. Taj recalled how a section of the media presented a wrong picture of Kashmir to the outside world, which had an adverse impact on tourism, handicrafts and horticulture.
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No change in Army’s stand on AFSPA: Lt Gen Hasnain
“There is no immediate effect of the developments,” said Lt Gen SA Hasnain, GoC of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, while talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a function at the Badami Bagh Cantonment here today. Lt Gen Hasnain said the ripples of the situation across the border in Afghanistan were yet to reach here. Replying to questions, the GoC said the state government was looking
into the return and rehabilitation of the Kashmir youth, who had crossed over to the other side of the border during militancy. “We have given our recommendations on the applications,” the GoC said. He added that the decision on these cases would be taken by the state
government. When asked about the Army’s stand on the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from certain areas of the state, where the level of militancy has declined to a great extent, the GoC maintained that there was no change in the Army’s stand. “We look at comprehensive security,” he commented. Lt Gen Hasnain held that the Army along with the state police was taking all measures to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in
the Valley. Despite threats and a certain level of activity by militants, people across the Kashmir valley participated in panchayat elections in large numbers last year, he said. Lt Gen Hasnain added that political activities were continuing without any hindrance. “The Army and the police would work to ensure the smooth conduct of political activities and a peaceful atmosphere,” he added. |
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4,000 TB cases detected in Jammu region in 2010-11
As many as 26,000 people visited the Chest Disease Hospital in Jammu last year with symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis and lung cancer. Doctors at the hospital say most of the infected people belong to the labour class and those living in dingy houses, particularly in rural and far-flung areas of the state. In 2006, the number of tuberculosis (TB) patients was 2,059, and in 2010 the figure rose to 3,174 in the Jammu region. The cases in the Kashmir province were 827 and 1,476 in 2006 and 2010, respectively. Health officials said the state's rural areas were a hotbed of TB infection, with a majority of cases detected among the tribal population living in congested hutments in Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah. The Medical Superintendent, Government Chest Disease Hospital, Dr Ravinder Rattan Pal, said the detection of TB cases was a matter of concern, but sustained efforts are being carried out to reach the affected population. “There are a number of programmes which have been launched to provide medical aid to those identified with symptoms of TB. We have established field teams to scan the possible carriers,” Dr Pal said. Under the Centrally sponsored DOTS and DOTS-Plus project, special teams have be deputed to take the saliva sample of people in the identified areas for testing. If the reports come out positive, patients are immediately placed in the care of Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) centres established in various parts of the state. Facts about tuberculosis
State scenario
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Heritage Week begins in Valley
Srinagar, April 16 The Heritage Week was inaugurated by Minister of State for Tourism Nasir Aslam Wani. Speaking on the occasion, he said the government was spending around Rs 150 crore for the promotion and conservation of heritage tourism in the state. “The Naagar Nagar project will restore the pristine glory of downtown Srinagar city. The conservation and restoration of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex is currently under way. Three more mega projects of Rs 50 crore each that have been cleared by the Union Tourism Ministry will be launched in Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh.” Wani added. He urged the civil society to raise awareness about the preservation of the state’s rich heritage treasure as it would also help attract more foreign and domestic tourists who were interested in “oriental culture”. Director, Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah and Chairman, INTACH, JK Chapter, Saleem Beg were also present on the occasion. Traditional Kashmiri folk dances, a film on the Dal Lake conservation and an INTACH presentation on restoration works of Kashmiri heritage sites were also presented on the occasion. PROMOTING TOURISM
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A post office with a difference
Srinagar, April 16 It is now unique also for having a “floating post office” in a houseboat that was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Communication and IT Sachin Pilot along with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah on August 11, 2011. “This is not merely a post office, but ?it’s like a museum offering a number of facilities for people, particularly the tourists visiting the place,” said John Samuel, chief postmaster general, J&K circle. Though the post office is supported by the retaining wall of the Boulevard, near Nehru Park, it attained the unique character last year with an aim to attract tourists not only to the lake but also to the Kashmir valley. Besides the normal working of the post office, there is a display of stamps, saving bank and recurring deposits, unique and rare stamps. The one-room post office will also provide telephone services for tourists and an LCD to entertain its customers. There are post cards for sale with special pictures showing the distinct Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir regions. Many books on the history and culture of Kashmir are also on display and sold at a 10 per cent discount, said an employee of the post office. “A Soliloquy of Post Office” enumerating the services rendered by the post office also hangs among other unique features in the two other rooms taken over inside the houseboat for the purpose of making it more attractive for tourists. A portrait of a woman designed as “picture postage stamp” is another unique feature of the post office. |
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Gujjars demand separate Tribal Ministry in state
Poonch, April 16 Representatives from Malhan, Fagla, Madana and Lassana villages belonging to the Gujjar community alleged that due to the non-serious attitude of the district administration, over 462 people of these villages had not received election cards, due to which they were unable to open accounts in banks and post offices. They added that without bank accounts they were not able to get jobs under various Centrally-sponsored schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. They alleged that hundreds of Below Poverty Line Gujjar families in far-flung areas of Poonch district lacked basic amenities like water and electricity. Speaking on the occasion, state president of the Mahasabha Ashfaq ul Rehman demanded a separate Tribal Ministry in the state to redress grievances of the tribal community. He demanded timely utilisation of funds under the tribal sub-plan in the state. Later, the delegates held a protest and raised slogans in support of their demands at Takiya Sharif on the Poonch-Jammu road. District Development Commissioner (DDC), Poonch, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, who was on his way to Poonch, listened to their demands carefully. Ashfaq ul Rehman presented a charter of demands to the DDC, Poonch. The DDC assured the protesters that he would take necessary action in this regard and appealed to them to come forward for talks. |
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AFSPA raised to divert attention from NC worker’s death: PDP
Rajouri, April 16 “The sensitive and important issue of the AFSPA was raised only to divert attention of people from NC worker Haji Yusuf’s death, as it exposed corruption in the government and in the NC,” Mehbooba said. She accused the Omar-led government of being involved in corruption. She said while people needed water, ration and other essential commodities, ministers were making money through back door entries and had re-employed 200 people, ignoring unemployed youth of the state. “What can you expect from a government which sells a MLC seat for Rs 50 lakh and a minister seat for Rs 1 crore,” she questioned. Omar’s only intention was to divert attention of the people from the charges against him, she said. The state government had on November 18, 2011, appointed a one-man commission under Supreme Court Judge HS Bedi (retired) to probe the custodial death of Haji Yusuf.
— OC |
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Pahari-speaking people seek
ST status
Jammu, April 16 The Governor gave a patient hearing to the deputation and informed it about the discussions on the issue, which he recently had with the authorities concerned at the Centre. He assured the delegation that he would further pursue the matter. The deputation comprised Former Minister Mirza Abdul Rashid and Kuldip Raj Gupta.
— TNS |
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Pak-returned youth held in Mendhar
Poonch, April 16 Sources said Saif was arrested in the PoK and was sent to a jail in PoK. Recently he was released from the PoK jail and returned to India via the Wagah border on April 13. Last evening when he reached Mendhar town, the police arrested him and lodged an FIR against him under the Egress and Internal Movement Control Act.
— OC |
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TV producers seek ouster of ‘corrupt’ DD official
Srinagar, April 16 “The biggest challenge to the kendra is rampant corruption, nepotism and favouritism which is going on unabated under the patronage of the present dispensation headed by Shami Shair. We demand her immediate shifting from the kendra and release of our long-pending payments,” Television Professionals United Forum (TPUF) chairman Zameer Ashai said while addressing a press conference here. Ashai said the TPUF had already handed over the records of the “bungling” done by Shami to the authorities concerned. “The CEO, Prasar Bharti, has already passed the report of bungling to the Vigilance Department and we are hopeful that the orders of her (Shami’s) shifting would be issued soon,” he added. The TPUF also reiterated its demand for shifting the office of the Kashir channel from New Delhi to Srinagar city. “The channel was launched with much fanfare in 1999 to benefit the local media fraternity but it still operates from Mandi House, New Delhi, and is headed by a non-state subject,” Ashai said. |
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Govt employees hold protest for job regularisation
Poonch, April 16 Speaking on the occasion, Vijay Tandon, secretary of the Association, said, “The daily wagers and need-based workers of the PHE are suffering due to the
non-regularisation of their services.” We have been working in the department for more than 15 years, but we are still waiting for regularisation of our services, said Vijay
Tandon. He added that need-based workers were not getting their honorarium regularly. Even after completion of 5 to 15 years of service, the workers are still working in temporary capacity. The protesters sought the intervention of Chief Minister for early redress of their grievances. They also threatened to intensify their struggle if government failed to fulfil their demand.
— OC |
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Governor briefed about audit report
Jammu, April 16 Referring to the crucial role of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) at the Centre and the Principal Accountants General in the states, the Governor stressed the need for ensuring effective financial discipline in the functioning of the administrative apparatus to achieve the objectives of good governance. Meanwhile, Principal Controller, Defence Accounts, Northern Command, Narinder Gupta called on the Governor at Raj Bhawan here today. The Governor wished Gupta high success in his new assignment, which he has recently taken over. |
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Governor, Jora discuss Amarnath yatra arrangements
Jammu, April 16 They also discussed the arrangements to be made for the ensuing Amarnath yatra, particularly those related to the Tourism Department.
— TNS |
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Shopian official suspended
Srinagar, April 16 He said the action had been initiated following large-scale complaints received against the officer. Meanwhile, the Director, Rural Development, Kashmir, has been asked to submit a detailed report in this regard within seven days. |
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Jammu, April 16
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Jammu, April 16