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Congress MP takes on NC over autonomy demand
Explain prolonged probe of undertrials: SC to J-K
Separatist leader wants Pandits to return to
Kashmir valley gears up for summer rush
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Intel input: Pakistani rangers pushing narco-smugglers into state
200 more men to man traffic in Srinagar
Various outfits, ‘ex-spies’ extend support to ‘Agent Vinod’
Low temperature, hailstorm damage fruit crops
Self-rule only solution to Kashmir issue: Mehbooba
Central funds to madrasas going to fake accounts: Karwan-i-Islami
Bid to fraudulently withdraw
Rs 5 lakh from legislator’s fund
Leh golf course to be ready by Oct 2013
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Congress MP takes on NC over autonomy demand
New Delhi, May 3 In the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha today, Choudhary Lal Singh, Congress member from Udhampur, took on the National Conference (NC) members for “trying to divide the country by raising the demand to restore the special status of Kashmir as conceived in the Delhi Agreement, 1952.” He was referring to yesterday's intervention in the House by the NC’s Mehboob Beg, who sought the government to honour the conditions of the accession mutually agreed upon in 1952 by the Union of India and Kashmir. Among these, he referred to the fact that Kashmir had its own Prime Minister and was a sadar-e-riyasat (a separate state). A livid Singh, without referring to Beg today, asked the Congress-led UPA government to “take strict view of such an alliance partner which sought to divide the country yet again”. “Be wary of such a coalition partner which wants to divide the nation. An honourable MP of this party (NC) says in this esteemed House that J&K should be made a separate state with a separate Prime Minister. How dare he say this! J&K does not belong to any particular party. It is the crown of India and no one can change that. Jammu and Ladakh are its integral parts. The Congress should take a stern view of such remarks by an alliance party member,” Singh said. The Congress leader’s reaction today reflected the ongoing tension between the Congress and the NC in the state. Taking matters further, Singh referred to NC patron Farooq Abdullah's father Sheikh Abdullah as a "controversial figure". "Who says Sheikh Abdullah was non-controversial. If he was such, why was he kept in jail for 22 years?" Speaking to The Tribune later, Beg, NC member from Anantnag, reacted sharply to the Congress member's remarks and said he should respect the political convictions of the NC. “It is true that we are ruling in the state in coalition with the Congress. But we are ruling for the purpose of governance. That does not mean we will give up our political commitments and convictions as far as Kashmir goes. Our demand for autonomy stands and will always stand. The 1952 Delhi Agreement must be honoured by the Government. It talks of a Constitution within the Constitution. Not acceding to this demand would lead to weakening of the state,” Beg asserted. He added that there were no differences between the alliance partners in J&K. The NC had yesterday demanded that the report of the three government interlocutors (appointed in the aftermath of the violence Valley saw in 2010) be made public so that their recommendations on the political solution to the Kashmir issue could be debated. Home Minister P Chidambaram has said that the report would soon be placed on the ministry website and also placed in the Parliament Library for MPs to study. |
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PAK PRISONERS
New Delhi, May 3 “What pains us is that for years together the investigation into the offences under which they were arrested has not been completed. The delay for five long years is wholly unacceptable,” a Bench comprising Justices RM Lodha and HL Gokhale said in an order while dealing with two such cases. “The state of J-K, through a responsible officer, must explain the long delay in the completion of the investigation into the crimes under which the two persons, Jamil Ahmed and another, were arrested,” the Bench ordered, pointing out that the speedy investigation was a pre-requisite for ensuring justice. The Bench was hearing a petition filed by Panthers Party president Bhim Singh seeking the release and deportation of prisoners from Pakistan and other neighbouring countries who had served out their sentence in Indian jails. The Bench said the state government should file its response within four weeks, also covering the cases of other such prisoners. The apex court also sought a report from the Central government giving the status of such prisoners in other states as on July 1, 2012, and fixed the next hearing for August 8. Taking note of the fact that two other Pakistani nationals, upon completion of their sentence, had approached the Jammu and Kashmir High Court seeking Indian citizenship, the apex court asked the HC to dispose of their plea expeditiously, preferably by the end of this year. This was necessary for considering Singh’s plea for their release and deportation, the Bench said. “The criminal justice system in the country may not be working swiftly, but it has not collapsed. You should have taken up the matter with Jammu and Kashmir. The state can’t take five years for investigation,” the Bench told Additional Solicitor General PP Malhotra, who appeared for the Centre. The Bench, however, rejected Bhim Singh’s plea for summoning the state Home Secretary, observing that it would not solve the problem. At the same time, the Centre and the state should not try to “justify something which is indefensible,” the Bench told the counsel for the two governments. |
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Separatist leader wants Pandits to return to Kashmir
Srinagar, May 3 “We are one and we have always had brotherly relations with the Pandits. Kashmir is incomplete without them. I will hold meetings with the Pandit leaders later this month in Jammu in order to facilitate their return. I will also ask them about the role the separatists can play to enable their return to Kashmir,” Shah, whose party is also a member of the moderate Hurriyat conglomerate, said while addressing a press conference here. However, he flayed the government for not allowing him to hold rallies in Jammu. “Last month, I wanted to visit Jammu as attempts were being made there to divide people on communal lines. I wanted to prevent the same but I was disallowed. It is unfortunate that the government on the other hand allows groups, who fan tension, to hold rallies there,” Shah said.
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Kashmir valley gears up for summer rush
Srinagar, May 3 “All arrangements, including the security and accommodation, are in place for the darbar move,” said Asgar Hasan Samoon, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir. He said the arrangements were being reviewed for the functioning of civil secretariat, which begins its work for the summer months from Monday. The arrangements for accommodation of the offices of various ministers, senior officers in the civil secretariat and for residential purposes were being taken care of by the Estate Department, Samoon said. While the arrangements are being made as per tradition, certain new measures have been taken, the Divisional Commissioner disclosed. These initiatives include water transport through the Jhelum, radio taxi service and streamlining of vehicular traffic on the roads. All these measures are being taken to decongest the traffic in the city hub. As part of these arrangements, the government has already ordered a change in the school timings. From May 1, they will function between 8 am and 2 pm within the limits of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC). Schools in rural areas will be open from 9-30 am till 3-30 pm. The SMC is also installing traffic signalling system at busy crossings like Jahangir Chowk in the civil secretariat area. In order to decongest the city from increasing traffic, the government has approached RITES Company for a comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) to tackle the problems with Vision 2031. “We have asked them to identify the immediate short-term and long-term measures,” Samoon said, adding that these would include the change of road designs at various places and rehabilitation of the affected people. To rehabilitate the shopkeepers, part of the Industrial Exhibition Complex would be utilised. The work on the Jahangir Chowk-Natipora flyover along the airport road has now been started. The much awaited flyover on the bypass at Hyderpora will be completed by June this year after over six years of construction work, while flyovers at Chanapora and Tengpora crossings are also in the pipeline. Measures are also afoot to decongest traffic on two vital intersections of Pantha Chowk and Zewan, and Shalteng — the entry points to Srinagar city. Measures Taken * Bus bays are coming up in Srinagar city to avoid congestion on roads *
School timings in Srinagar city will now be between 8 am and 2 pm * Traffic signals are being installed at busy crossings *
Water transport on the Jhelum and radio taxi services have been launched |
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Intel input: Pakistani rangers pushing narco-smugglers into state
Jammu, May 3 “The neighbouring country that fomented terrorism for more than two decades in the state has opted for a new modus-operandi to execute its designs. Under the new plan, the Pakistani Rangers are aggressively assisting and pushing narcotics smugglers to this side of the border to target youth and use a part of the money (from the illegal trade) for terror activities,” said a senior intelligence officer privy to the investigation on drug trade at the international border. The officer claimed that smugglers, who were arrested for their involvement in drug trade, had “confessed” that they were being supported by the Pakistani Rangers on the international border. “The people involved in the cross border drug trafficking also lure locals, who act as agents or representatives, and help them shift the consignments to safer places,” the officer said. The level of infiltration from across the border and terrorist activities in Kashmir showed a significant decline in 2011. The incidents of terrorist violence declined from 708 in 2008 to 340 in 2011. For the first time, security agencies achieved “zero infiltration” on the border in the Jammu region last year. On February 13, the state police recovered 10 kg heroin worth Rs 10 crore in the international market by arresting three narco-smugglers at Paloura in Jammu city. In November last
year, security agencies seized 10 kg heroin from the Akhnoor area. Two narco-smugglers were also arrested in this connection. The officer said they had identified three points- Khour, Phallanwala and Suchetgarh on the border which were “safe entry zones” for narco-smugglers in the state. “We have taken up the matter with the BSF and other agencies to plug these points,” he said. Official sources said some foreigners, who were involved in the collection and transportation of drugs, were also arrested in a couple of cases. “We have found that the border belts have become the favourite landing points for everything illegal emanating from Pakistan. The drugs are being smuggled from Pakistan and Afghanistan via the border with the sole aim of making money and utilising a part of it for criminal and terror activities in the state,” they said.
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200 more men to man traffic in Srinagar
Srinagar, May 3 “With more manpower we will ensure that we enforce the traffic laws stringently so that a change is visible on the roads in the Valley,” said Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Traffic, Shafqat Watali in a press conference today. “I hope within a month, a perceptible change will be visible on the roads,” Watali said. Watali said besides getting more men, five traffic signals would be installed at busy crossing, which would help in regulating traffic efficiently. “We have identified 70 more points in the city where traffic lights would be installed in the next three months,” he said. The DIG, Traffic, said the traffic regulation was in mess due to various reasons. He said the traffic police had launched its page on social networking site Facebook and residents could upload pictures of traffic violations. |
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Various outfits, ‘ex-spies’ extend support to ‘Agent Vinod’
Jammu, May 3 “The Vichar Kranti Manch, Jammu Kashmir Democratic Front, PoK refugees, various organisations, besides families of former spies have extended their support to me. They will join me in my fight tomorrow,” said Sawhney. He expressed regrets that Jammu Deputy Commissioner Sanjeev Verma and Commissioner of the Jammu Municipal Corporation KL Khajuria had handed him a raw deal so far. “I fail to understand their rigid attitude. Now, tomorrow more families of former ‘spies’ will join me and then it will become very difficult for the government to tackle them,” he said. They will also seek their proper rehabilitation from the government, he added. He said the government had a policy to rehabilitate militants, but showed empty coffers to people like him. Meanwhile, human rights activist MK Paul from Gujarat has assured Sawhney to take up his case at the highest level at New Delhi. “Paul gave me a call today and assured me that he would file a suit in the Delhi High Court soon. He has also sought details from me,” said the former ‘spy’. Sawhney has been on a fast-unto-death since April 20. Shackled in chains, the 59-year old former ‘spy’ has turned pale and frail, as he has been surviving on water.
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Low temperature, hailstorm damage fruit crops
Srinagar, May 3 The extent of the damage is being assessed, as the affected areas are spread over various parts in Kashmir, says GH Shah, Director, Floriculture Department, Kashmir. “The actual extent of damage to fruits crops is being assessed. It varies depending upon the location and the distance from the mountains,” said Shah. He said the damage to fruit crops in some areas was 10 per cent while in other areas it was 40 per cent. The overall damage to the fruit crops in all the districts of Kashmir could be around 5 per cent, he said, adding that the damages could be assessed only after some time when the fruits start taking shape. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Horticulture Javed Ahmad Dar visited several hailstorm-affected villages of Rafiabad in Baramulla district today and took stock of the damage caused to the fruit crops. Zethan, Kangroos, Dalri, Sheikhpora, Pukhwar and Hachaypora were most affected by the hailstorm, an official spokesman said. The Minister instructed officials of the Horticulture Department to visit the affected areas and organise awareness camps to sensitise farmers about the preventive measures to check further damage to the fruit crops. Talking to the farmers, the Minister said Baramulla district produces 6.50 lakh metric tonnes of fruit annually, which constitutes one third of the total production of the state. Dar said the department had introduced several schemes to increase production and improve the socio-economic status of the people associated with the fruit business. He said the department had introduced new varieties of fruits like kiwi and pomegranate, high-density apple plants (Bulgarian) and asked the farmers to adopt the new fruit varieties. He asked the farmers to take the benefits of the new technologies introduced in the horticulture sector. According to a report, the horticulture and agriculture crops in Chrare-e-Sharief in Budgam district got extensively damaged in the recent hailstorm. Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs AR Rather, representing Chrar-e-Sharief, expressed concern over the damage caused to the fruit crops and directed the district administration to send survey teams to the affected area to assess the quantum of damage. He also asked for submitting the report to the government immediately so that the affected farmers could be provided relief.
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Self-rule only solution to Kashmir issue: Mehbooba
Srinagar, May 3 Addressing party workers at various places here yesterday, Mehbooba said self-rule had emerged as the only viable and feasible solution to the Kashmir issue. “Whether it is trade and travel across the Line of Control (LoC) or opening of traditional routes which connect the state to the rest of the world, all these are already on the table between India and Pakistan,” she said. The PDP president said important principles had been settled in allowing travel across the LoC without passport and visa and trade without formalities of import, export and customs duty. These principles are being built upon by the two countries to find a lasting solution that brings empowerment, relief and satisfaction to people of Jammu and Kashmir. She said when this vision would be fully implemented, it would liberate the state from an artificial siege that it had suffered in the wake of the Partition. Mehbooba said the issue of the exploitation of the water and power resources of the state was a major economic concern for the people of the state. She said the state had been reduced to a begging bowl by handing over its immense water resources to the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation without even signing an MOU with it. She said unless the state was duly compensated for the huge losses it was suffering on this account, it could never become economically self-reliant, which is fundamental for the self respect of its people. a“How can we generate dignified and gainful employment for 6 lakh unemployed youth, some of whom have been reduced to menial jobs or driven to drugs in the absence of resources, unless we settle this issue with the Centre judiciously?”
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Central funds to madrasas going to fake accounts: Karwan-i-Islami
Srinagar, May 3 “We reject the claims. We had filed an RTI, seeking details of the organisations reportedly funded by the Centre. However, we have received incomplete information through the RTI reply. The reply claimed that the money had been deposited to the bank accounts of madrasas in Srinagar, Budgam, Kulgam and Kupwara. There is no mention of who took the money. We also found out that the accounts are fake,” Hami, who heads the conglomerate of 40 religious organisations, said while addressing a press conference here. He made the statement in reference to the last year’s media reports quoting a RTI application which had revealed that the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development was funding 372 madrasas in the state. Asserting that the organisations affiliated with the KI had neither received nor asked for funds, Hami demanded that the Centre should furnish “complete details” of madrasas that had received the financial aid. He blamed “certain elements” for attempting to create divisions on sectarian lines in the Kashmir valley. He flayed a media report, which had alleged that there were sectarian divisions in the Valley. “We have issued a legal notice to the reporter (of a national newspaper), as there is no enmity between religious groups here. All this is being done under a conspiracy,” Hami said.
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Bid to fraudulently withdraw
Rs 5 lakh from legislator’s fund
Jammu, May 3 Although this fraud was detected due to the timely intervention of the Chief Planning Officer (CPO), Jammu, officials of the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Pooch, where the estimate was prepared and approved were tightlipped about the whole episode. An estimate worth Rs 5.50 lakh was prepared for the CDF of Congress MLA Indu Pawar to construct paths and lanes in the Surankote area of Poonch district. The CPO, Poonch, in his letter dated 02-03-2012 submitted the estimate before the District Development Commissioner, Poonch, and sought the release of funds without consulting the MLA concerned. “As the District Development Commissioner (DDC), Jammu, is authorised to release my CDF, the CPO, Jammu, decided to consult me before releasing the funds. I was shocked to know that some persons had prepared a fake estimate by using my forged signatures,” Pawar told The Tribune. “It is a glaring example of fraud; cheats are not evening sparing legislators,” she said and asked the authorities to conduct an inquiry into the episode. “Today I have written a letter to the DDC, Poonch, against releasing funds against that fake estimate from my CDF,” she said, adding that the DDC, Poonch, had been asked to conduct an inquiry and intimate her about the action taken. This is the second case of forged signature of legislators. In August 2011, MLA Mendhar Rafiq Hussain Khan had alleged that
the authorities had used his forged signature to get the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of RGGVY approved to give the benefits of the scheme to undeserving and influential people. Interestingly, the “investigation” into that fraud is going on but no action has been taking against the erring officials. “The inquiry is just an eyewash to shield the officials who were involved in committing the fraud,” Mendhar Rafiq’s son Nadeem Khan told The Tribune.
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Leh golf course to be ready by Oct 2013
Srinagar, May 3 This information was given by Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora, who recently inspected the work on the 18-hole golf course spread over 1,520 kanals on the banks of the Indus at Shey near Leh. The minister also inspected the Sindhu Sanskriti Kendra at Ti-suru Leh, where the final touches are being given to the auditorium and other infrastructure. The main events of the upcoming Ladakh International Film Festival would be held in this complex in June this year. International films would be screened in the 400-capacity auditorium. The minister also inspected the Trans Himalayan Cultural Centre, which is coming up at a cost of Rs 30 crore. He also reviewed the construction work of the Ladakh Convention Centre and the Food Craft Institute at Takski-thang and urged the engineers concerned to complete these projects at the earliest. — TNS
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The administration in Kashmir is gearing up for the summer season ahead beginning with the darbar move and high tourist arrivals apart from the annual Amaranth yatra that begins from June 25
A day after former ‘spy’ Vinod Sawhney turned down the “lucrative” offer of the free renewal of his rehri
licence, various social and political organisations have extended their support to him in his fight for justice.
“The Vichar Kranti Manch, Jammu Kashmir Democratic Front, PoK refugees, various
organisations, besides families of former spies have extended their support to me. They will join me in my fight tomorrow,” said
Sawhney.
Karwan-i-Islami (KI) patron Maulana GR Hami today rejected reports that madrasas of the Kashmir valley had received funds from the Centre while claiming that the money had been transferred to “fake” bank accounts.
“We reject the claims. We had filed an RTI, seeking details of the organisations reportedly funded by the
Centre. However, we have received incomplete information through the RTI reply.
