|
|
|
|
|
Mufti assures Pandits of dignified return to Valley Create conducive environment for return: Pandits |
|
|
coming Amarnath Yatra, Peak Tourist Season
Ex-militants term rehab policy a mere eyewash
Soz condemns ASI’s killing Staying in coalition govt Cong’s compulsion: Soz
Omar tweets: Why can’t J&K have a choice on
AFSPA?
Retirement Age Enhancement
JKCA mulls moving HC for release of documents
Violation of traffic rules Seasonal migration of Gujjars Road mishaps claim 400 lives in 15 months Traffic lights in Srinagar soon Literary fest planned
|
|
Mufti assures Pandits of dignified return to Valley Jammu, April 22 Besides former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, a number of party leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beig and many MLAs from the Kashmir valley attended the meeting. While speaking on the occasion, Mufti termed the minority community as superior intellectuals, which had to play an important role in the state politics. He said organising such a dialogue was a cultural necessity because the displaced Kashmiri Pandits were a part and parcel of the Kashmiri culture. Although Mufti avoided a direct attack on the ruling National Conference (NC), his party colleagues, especially Beig and Mohammad Dilawar Mir, shifted all blames on the NC for the eruption of militancy in the state. Mufti, however, admitted that the Assembly poll in 1987, which was allegedly rigged to ensure the victory of the NC-Congress government, was the main reason of militancy in the state. Mufti said as part of the conspiracy, he was sidelined from the state politics. He assured the meeting of a dignified return of the Kashmiri Pandits to the Kashmir valley. “The return of the Kashmiri Pandits to the Kashmir valley is must to maintain the ethnicity and diversity of the Kashmiri culture,” he maintained and reiterated the resolve of his party to solve and facilitate the honourable return of the community. “It is my desire to bring back all the Kashmiri Pandits, who have left their homes two decades ago,” he announced. He sought the support and cooperation of the Kashmiri Pandit community to change the present system. “The PDP has started the process of transformation to change the destiny of the people of the state,” he said. He added, “I want your help in the process of transformation and you have to be with us in our efforts to establish a new system in the state.” He recalled the contribution of the Kashmiri Pandits leaders like Sham Lal Saraf, PN Bajaj, Kashyap Bandu, DP Dhar and others in strengthening democratic system in the state.
|
|
|
Create conducive environment for return: Pandits Jammu, April 22 “When Kashmiri Pandits left the Valley, 20,000 people of the community were into government jobs and now the number is just 2,000. Jobs are the rights of the people, but the government should think about their return in a conducive environment,” said Mahesh Kaul, a Kashmiri Pandit. “We are not the victims of a natural calamity or some catastrophe, but we were deliberately thrown out. The government should work for the return of the community in a secure environment,” Kaul added. In the meeting, the Chief Minister had directed for setting in motion the process of creation of additional 3,000 posts for Kashmiri migrant students. He had stressed on early action in this regard and asked for the status of any waiting list of candidates, who had applied for posts already advertised and filled up. Dr Agnishekhar, Convener, Panun Kashmir, said, “The package is meant for hoodwinking the community. The announcement of the package has nothing to do with the return of the Pandit community. These jobs are with a condition, which is to sign a bond with the government.” “We oppose the package, as the government is not serious about the permanent settlement of the Pandit community at one place. Just taking a few youth to Kashmir will not serve any purpose,” Agnishekhar added. “If a commission can be called on the Godhra riots, then why can’t a commission be called on the the ethnic cleansing of the Pandit community?”
|
|
|
coming Amarnath
Yatra, Peak Tourist Season
Jammu, April 22
In an interaction with The Tribune, the IGP said though the graph of militancy-related incidents had witnessed a downward trend over the years, it (militancy) is not over and the cops will have to maintain a “strict vigil round the clock” for fool-proof security of the pilgrims and tourists who will be visiting the state this year. “In Jammu, we are positive and hopeful of having a wonderful summer ahead. We had a very good summer in 2011. We expect a pleasant summer in 2012 and we look forward to cooperation from all quarters,” he said while talking about the security arrangements being made ahead of the Amarnath Yatra and the tourist season. The IGP said, “We are glad that people from all over the country are visiting the state. We have already put in place security arrangements for the Jammu region as well as the Kashmir Valley. We have adequate reserve battalions and we pool our resources as per the requirement.” Attributing the dwindling number of militants and militacy-related incidents across the region to “better synergy” among security agencies and “full cooperation” of the public, the IGP said it was for the first time that they had achieved “zero infiltration” on the border and almost “zero violation” of human rights in 2011. “Another major achievement was that two districts - Doda and Reasi - were declared militancy-free last year and we will make efforts to add more districts to the list,” he said. Asked if the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist outfit was trying to revive its cadres in some parts of the region, the IGP said he did not have any such report. “A small number of LeT militants are active in Rajouri and Poonch districts. In other parts of the region, there are few. A total of 30 militants, 21 local and nine foreigners, are listed in Jammu. Of them, at least six belong to the LeT,” Dilbagh Singh. On the crime trend in Jammu region, the IGP said it had always witnessed an upward trend over the years. “There was an increase in miscellaneous crimes, but the graph of serious crimes under all heads came down last year. Not even a single murder case went untraced while in abduction cases, 99 per cent recoveries were made,” he claimed. He disclosed that they had fixed a target of 80 per cent disposal of crime cases during the current year. “Last year, we had fixed 75 per cent disposal of crime cases, and we achieved 79 per cent.” Expressing dissatisfaction over the department’s performance in dealing with drug trafficking, the IGP said: “We are not happy with what we have done so far. It is just a part of the exhaustive exercise and a lot of efforts are still needed to effectively deal with the menace.” “Drugs are being smuggled from Pakistan and Afghanistan via the Indo-Pak border with the sole motive of making money and utilising a part of it for criminal activities in the state. In a couple of cases, some foreigners were also held who were involved in the collection and transportation of the consignment,” he said. |
|
|
Ex-militants term rehab policy a mere eyewash
Jammu, April 22 For them, the rehabilitation policy is nothing more than a mere eyewash. They now repent the day when they decided to return to the “national mainstream”. Once an AK-47-wielding divisional commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, who survived 26 encounters and escaped over 100 cordons, 40-year-old Abdul Munaf Malik of Topa village in Rajouri district says, “The policy is nothing more than a propaganda by the government to hoodwink people like me.” “Considering the official apathy and the constant threat from militants, we are nothing more than sitting ducks,” he says. “Leave aside the benefits of the rehabilitation policy, we are being hated by our people, who call us infidels. There is no security or protection to us or our families,” he says. Malik remained an active militant from 1994 to 1999, initially as a district commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen and then as divisional commander of the Tehreek-ul-Jehad for Rajouri, Poonch and Udhampur districts. “In 1999, I surrendered before the police and thereafter worked for nine years as a special police officer helping the security forces in over 40 counter-insurgency operations, but suddenly on September 17, 2008, I was terminated from the job,” says the former militant. “Now, I do a petty job of a labourer and walk 3 km daily to reach the site of work to support my family. Where is the rehabilitation policy,” he asks. “At the time of surrendering, I had been given an amount of Rs 18,000 for the AK-47 gun and some other arms, which I had handed over to the police. Thereafter, not even a single penny was given to me,” he says. A matriculate, Malik today has a wife, two children, old and ailing parents, besides a younger brother, Abdul Quaf Malik, who had to bear the wrath of militants after Malik surrendered before the police. Militants tortured him so badly that today he cannot move around without crutches. “They also torched my three houses. This is the price I had to pay for returning to the national mainstream,” rues Malik. Better known as “Inqalabi” or “Aslam Malik”, the former militant also mentioned names of former militants like Mohammed Hanief of Darhal Budh Kinari and Mohammed Farooq Mir, a graduate, from Chokian, who today live in acute penury. While Tasaduq Hussain Malik, Mohammed Abbas, Aurangzed, Zakir and Maqsood have been absorbed as SPOs and followers, there are several former militants who have no work to support their families today, he adds.
|
|
|
Soz condemns ASI’s killing Rajouri, April 22 Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a function, Soz said, “We must condemn the ASI’s killing. The cooperation of civil society is necessary to fight the scourge of terrorism”. On the removal of AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir, Soz said only after a consensus of all stakeholders, any decision could be taken on the removal of the Act. To a query on removing bunkers from Srinagar city and the attack on a police officer, Soz said, “If any incident happens after the removal of bunkers from Srinagar, we must seriously think about it.” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been consistently demanding the revocation of the AFSPA from some parts of the state, keeping in view the change in the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
|
|
|
Omar tweets: Why can’t J&K have a choice on AFSPA?
Srinagar, April 22 “If Maoist-infested states can choose not to use the Army, why can’t my state choose not to use it in some areas? I want to know why no one is demanding AFSPA in these areas when they are so keen to see it continue in J&K?” the Chief Minister wrote on the micro-blogging website, Twitter. However, Omar dismissed the notion that he was for implementation of the AFSPA in the Maoist-infested areas. “I’m not. I’m asking why those making a big deal about it in my state are happy to be quiet in this case with a worse problem,” he tweeted. |
|
|
Staying in coalition govt Cong’s compulsion: Soz Rajouri, April 22 Addressing a rally, Soz said the party was not satisfied with the way panches and sarpanches were being given powers. He said efforts were being made by the party to convince the coalition partner to implement the 73rd amendment of the Constitution in the state. “Running the government independently is a difficult job in the state and we have our compulsions to be a part of the coalition,” Soz said. Soz said the 73rd amendment was the need of the hour in the state and the party was making every effort to implement it in the state. He stressed that the congress was fully committed to fulfil the dream of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi of empowering the panchayats by incorporating the 73rd and 74th amendment of the Constitution, to make them vibrant institutions of democracy. Soz said strengthening and empowerment of basic democratic institutions was necessary for the equitable development of all parts of the state. |
|
|
Retirement Age Enhancement
Jammu, April 22 Sources say after the submission of the report by the committee, headed by Chief Secretary Madhav Lal, to the Cabinet sub-committee, headed by Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, the government is likely to start fresh negotiations with the employees’ unions, which have once again threatened to go on an indefinite strike from May. The committee, constituted in January, had asked the Finance Department to submit details regarding the total number of employees who stand to benefit from the decision and its possible financial implications. The Finance Department has been asked to submit all relevant details so as to enable the official panel to take a final call on the matter. The enhancement in the retirement age is one of the key demands of the Employees Joint Consultative Committee, which had negotiated with the government on number of issues, including release of arrears on account of implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission report, removal of pay anomalies, conversion of the cost of living allowance (COLA) into dearness allowance (DA) and regularisation of daily wagers. “Though the demand for enhancing the retirement age by two years is not under consideration, they are trying to find a middle path, which includes enhancing the age by one year, as the Central government had also passed on directions to retain experienced manpower,” said a source. Though the committee had earlier shared its preliminary report with the government, the final recommendations were awaited and would be discussed in the state Cabinet before a final decision is taken. Minister for PHE and Irrigation Taj Mohiuddin, who is also a member of the Cabinet sub-committee, said they were awaiting the final report. “Employees should not resort to agitation and wait for the receipt of the report. We are considering their demands in a phased manner. The government is aware of their problems, which will be sorted out,” Taj said. Union Cabinet Secretary Ajit Kumar Seth, during his visit to the state last year, had asked the state government to consider bringing the retirement age of its employees on a par with their counterparts in the Central government to retain experienced human resource. “The demand of the state government employees for the enhancement of their age of superannuation from 58 to 60 years is more than justified as the Central government employees retire at 60. In the UGC and judiciary, the retirement age limit is even higher,” says Ram Kumar Sharma, senior JCC leader. Every year, nearly 10,000 employees retire from various departments and their demand is being opposed by youth organisations, as they allege that it will deprive them of jobs. |
|
|
JKCA mulls moving HC for release of documents
Jammu, April 22 “Unless all relevant documents are received, it is not possible to achieve any major breakthrough in the probe, that too, in such a short span,” said a JKCA official, while confirming the move. “In order to conduct a probe into such an important issue without any delay, we may request the release of the documents in original by the police, which can keep the xerox of the same,” he added. A handout issued by the coordinator of the in-house probe committee and treasurer of the JKCA, Manzoor Ahmad Wazir, said: “Earlier, the committee had a two-hour-long meeting and worked out the modalities with regard to holding a through probe into the financial irregularities of the association.” The four-member panel included Sham Saroop Kalsortra (United Cricket Club), Arvinder Singh Mickee (Rehari Cricket Club), both from Jammu, Ashraf Bhat (City Cricket Club) and Ashwinder Koul (Whites Cricket Club) from the Kashmir wing. The JKCA president has also asked the probe committee to look into the legitimacy of various working committee members representing different affiliated clubs. In another development, some members of the JKCA, including working committee members, selectors and coaches, have raised a question mark over the constitution of the committee. In a statement, they said: “We welcome the initiative (in-house probe committee) but the appointment of some members to the committee having a dubious past has shocked us.” “All four members appointed by the president are part of the group that boycotted the JKCA election on June 23, 2011. The election was held under the observation of Justice Bashir-Ud-Din (retd), who was appointed by the High Court, and Sudhir Dabir, appointed by the BCCI,” the statement added. |
|
Defer municipal poll: CPM Srinagar, April 22 “The government has been indecisive over the conduct of the municipal elections. These could have been held last year or at the beginning of this year. Now, it will be better to defer the elections in the interests of the tourism sector and their views should be accommodated before announcing the dates,” Tarigami said while addressing a press conference here today. He made the statement in view of the concerns expressed by the valley’s tourism fraternity, which has stated that the holding of municipal elections during the peak tourist season may affect the tourist inflow. Chairman of the hardline Hurriyat faction Syed Ali Geelani has already called for a boycott of the municipal elections, the dates of which have not been announced so far. Earlier, he addressed members of the Construction Workers Federation of India (CWFI) on the concluding day of a three-day-long 49th All-India Working Committee Meeting of Construction Workers held in the summer capital. Alleging that Jammu and Kashmir had been turned into a “police state”, Tarigami condemned the government for its alleged failure to implement labour laws. “If a protest is taken out against cases of embezzlement, the police takes action against the protesters and not the culprits (officials accused of fraud),” he added. Tarigami said the special status guaranteed to the state under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution had been “eroded” and that the same had to be “restored”. On the occasion, CWFI president R Singeravelu announced the country-wide protest programme of the construction workers for the year. He said the CWFI would hold country-wide protests on June 27 and then observe a one-day strike on November 6. Singeravelu flayed the Centre for not “acting upon” the assurances given by it after the eruption of mass protests in the Valley. He said the CWFI supported the demand of the Left for the gradual revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state.
|
||
|
Cancel licence of 600, RTO told
Srinagar, April 22 Though the request for cancellation of licences was sent almost four months ago, the RTO, Kashmir, said they were looking into the matter. “We have got the list and we are looking into the details,” said RTO, Kashmir, Anees Ahmed. The traffic police has no powers to forfeit the licences and such powers rest with the RTO under the Motor Vehicles Act. Sources in the police said it seemed as if the RTO office was lenient on violators. The police said the list of 689 offenders, who were challaned for various violations from six to 15 times in four months, was forwarded to the RTO with all details in November 2011. “Besides cancellation of traffic licences, we had also requested the RTO to cancel the route permits, in case the violation was done by a commercial vehicle,” said a police officer. “We are yet to hear anything from the RTO office.”
|
||
|
Defence Minister urged to revoke restrictions Tribune News Services Jammu, April 22 In a letter addressed to the Union Minister by Gujjar dignitaries, the tribe urged for free movement of all migratory communities to areas belonging to them since centuries. Dr Javaid Rahi, secretary, Tribal Foundation, said they had written a letter to the Union Minister to restore all pastures and dhoks barred for tribes located on the Line of Control (LoC), the Indo-Pak international border and the Ladakh areas since 1990. The letter read, “In view of firing incidents on the Indo-Pak border and militancy, the security forces in the state had restricted the entry of the Gujjars and Bakerwals in few dhoks and pastures located near the border in Poonch, Rajouri, Jammu, Kathua, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Kargil and Leh districts.” The letter further read that since November 25, 2003, when a ceasefire had come into force between India and Pakistan, the tension had reduced and now it was the right time to allow the tribals to move freely in their traditional areas located in Ladakh and on the international border.
|
||
|
Road mishaps claim 400 lives in 15 months Srinagar, April 22 According to the traffic police, the major reasons for the high number of casualties are overspeeding, overloading, driving without licence, absence of road signs and poor coordination among various government agencies. Figures collected by the traffic police reveal that 366 people died in the Kashmir province in 2011 while 325 died in 2010 in various road mishaps. “Out of the 366 casualties, about 291 deaths took place on the national highway in Kashmir and 75 casualties were reported from Srinagar,” said Deputy Inspector General of Traffic Vijay Kumar. The highest number of road accidents had taken place in three districts of south Kashmir last year. “Nearly 500 accidents have taken place in Anantnag, Kulgam and Awantipora,” the figures reveal. The traffic police said the other major reason for the road accidents was that there were only 300 men, who regulated the traffic in the Kashmir valley. “In Srinagar 150 traffic policemen regulate the traffic. In other major districts, three to five policemen manage the traffic. We don’t have enough manpower to ensure road safety,” said a traffic police officer. “Apart from more manpower, we need technological help. There is a need for creating awareness among the people to avoid road accidents,” he said.
|
||
|
Traffic lights in Srinagar soon Srinagar, April 22 The decision to install traffic lights has been appreciated, especially ahead of the darbar move. The traffic signals will be installed at Tourist Reception Centre, Jehangir Chowk, Sangarmal junction on MA Road and at Dalgate Chowk in the first week of May. “In the first phase, the traffic lights will be installed by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), which will help regulate the traffic to a large extent,” said Deputy Inspector General of Traffic Vijay Kumar. The civil administration too has asked the police to start a campaign to educate drivers and transporters about traffic rules and regulations and the utilisation of traffic lights. Sources said the SMC, the traffic police and the engineering wing of the Roads and Buildings Department had identified many junctions in the city where traffic lights would be installed.
|
||
|
Literary fest planned
Srinagar, April 22 “We have for long been planning to organise a mega literary event in Kashmir. The plan has been set in motion and the festival will be held this year. The KLF will be on the lines of Jaipur Literary Festival and Karachi Literary Festival held in the recent past,” AMK general secretary Shujaat Bukhari said. “This will be the first of its kind literary carnival in Kashmir in which authors around the world will be invited to share their works with local authors,” he added. Bukhari said the KLF would provide a platform not only for local authors but also offer an opportunity to highlight the sufferings of the people of the state.— TNS |
||
|
Work on removing bunkers tardy
Various steps have been taken since the announcement of an eight-point initiative by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on September 25, 2010, in the aftermath of unrest during the summer of 2010. These measures included de-scaling the number of security bunkers in Srinagar city. Subsequently, 39 CRPF bunkers were removed from various roadside locations last year. The government has identified 24 such bunkers this year also. Of these, four bunkers were removed recently, including the one at Chinkral Mohalla and the one at Lal Chowk. People in general and traders in particular have been complaining of “inconvenience” due to the presence of security bunkers as these become “easy targets” of militants, creating trouble for the public. However, the police maintains that bunkers are meant for the safety of the people, and now that the situation has improved, these are being removed. The process of removing bunkers, however, seems to be going on a slow pace due to the lack of alternative accommodation for security personnel. Unmet deadlines Every now and then, the authorities can be seen issuing regular deadlines, which unfortunately are never met. The first phase of the water taxi service on the Jhelum was scheduled to start on April 15. The administration had issued tall statements, saying the service would ease traffic snarls in the city. However, the government has now chosen to keep mum over the ferry service and similarly, the much-touted dog sterilisation programme of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, which was supposed to start on April 1, too, seems to have been forgotten. On the other hand, government employees are back on the roads. They have been staging regular protests after the government failed to meet yet another deadline. Last year, the government had promised the employees’ leaders that a decision regarding their issues would be announced by March 31. Therefore, the government should first do proper groundwork before setting deadlines to avoid being caught in embarrassing situations. Contributed by Ehsan Fazili and M Aamir Khan |
||
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today organised an interactive meeting with representatives of various Kashmiri Pandit organisations to remove the “trust deficit”.
Jammu, April 22
Rajouri, April 22
Srinagar, April 22
4,080 gave up arms in 22 yrs
