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Hizb ultra returns from PoK to ‘revive militancy’ in Doda
Shake-up in state administration
Players await scholarships as dept short of funds
Kashmir issue must be solved for lasting peace in region, says Mufti
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Janglat Mandi encounter: Petitioners press for reinvestigation into case
44,232 cases pending in J&K High Court
2 killed, 82 hurt in road mishaps
Urban local bodies forum holds stir
Rajouri bus stand awaits repairs
BSNL services affected in Katra
Officials directed to ensure quality food in anganwadi centres
Col Palta takes over as Jammu Defence PRO
K-issue can’t be resolved till Cong in power: Bhim Singh
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Hizb ultra returns from PoK to ‘revive militancy’ in Doda
Jammu, May 16 The SSP, Doda, MA Reshu, today declared that the police last night caught the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant Tanveer Ahmed, a native of Bagodiyan Dhar in Doda, from the Nalwa area along with some arms and ammunition. “He had crossed over to PoK in 2002 for undergoing arms training and had returned two months ago via Nepal,” Reshu told The Tribune over phone. “Though he was not involved in any militancy-related violence in Doda district, we have recovered some arms and ammunition from him and that is why he has been arrested and booked under the relevant sections of law,” he added. The SSP said neither the arrested militant nor his family had sought his rehabilitation under the policy announced by the state government. The state government in association with New Delhi has floated a rehabilitation policy granting amnesty to Kashmiri militants, also called “misguided youth”, who had gone to PoK and Pakistan after 1989 for undergoing arms training but now wanted to return to the mainstream. Tanveer had crossed over to PoK at the age of 22 years to undergo arms training. The SSP described his arrest as a severe blow to the HM in Doda district. An official release issued here reads: “The police achieved a major success when it apprehended a Hizbul Mujhaideen terrorist, who was missing since 2002 and had crossed over to PoK for arms training, in the Nalwa area in the mountainous district of Doda last night.” Reports said that on a specific input regarding the presence of the terrorist in the Nalwa area, the police launched a search operation, which eventually led to the arrest of the HM terrorist. The police also claimed that it recovered one Chinese pistol, two magazines, 30 rounds, one wireless set, one satellite phone and two hand grenades. The terrorist was eventually booked under 3 EAO, 3/7/25 Arms Act and 6 IWT Act. The police said Tanveer had been launched back into Doda by his handlers to revive terrorist activities in Doda district. |
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Shake-up in state administration
Srinagar, May 16 The Cabinet also approved upgradation of infrastructural facilities at Industrial Estate Gangyal, Jammu, and Bari Brahamana, Samba, at an estimated cost of Rs 9.84 crore and Rs 11.08 crore, respectively. Shagufta Parveen, Director, School Education, Kashmir, has been transferred and posted as Secretary, Public Enterprises Department, an official spokesman said. Mohammad Shafi Rather, Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, has been transferred and posted as Director, School Education, Kashmir. Ramesh Kumar Koul, Additional Commissioner, Commercial Taxes, Jammu, has been posted as Director, Estates. Khurshid Ahmad Shah, Director, Estates, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Budgam. Mohammad Sharif Sood, Deputy Commissioner, Shopian, has been posted as Director, Horticulture, Planning and Marketing. Yasha Mudgal, Project Director, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, while T. Ashok Kumar, Special Secretary (Technical), Forest Department, has been posted as Secretary, J&K Public Service Commission. Saleem Mohammad, KAS, Settlement Officer, Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, while Hilal Ahmad Parray, Director, Social Welfare, Kashmir, has been posted as Project Director, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. Kifayat Hussain Rizvi, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, has been posted as Commissioner, Commercial Taxes, J&K, while Farooq Ahmad Renzu, who is awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been posted as Vice-Chairman, Srinagar Development Authority. Farooq Ahmad Shah, Director, Tourism, Kashmir has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, while Bashir Ahmad Bhat, Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, has been transferred and posted as Director, Social Welfare, Kashmir. Farooq Ahmad Khan, Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam, has been posted as Special Secretary, Finance Department, while Ghulam Ahmad Khwaja, Special Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla. Mohammad Hussain Malik, Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, has been posted as Special Secretary, Planning and Development Department. Mohammad Javed Khan, Director, Horticulture, Planning and Marketing, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Shopian. Jehangir Mir, Director, Rural Development Department, Kashmir, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam, while Talat Parvez, Managing Director, J&K Cable Car Corporation, has been posted as Director, Tourism, Kashmir. He will also hold additional charge as Managing Director, J&K Cable Car Corporation, till further orders. Mir Altaf Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Development Authority, Pahalgam, has been posted as Director, Rural Development Department, Kashmir. He will also hold additional charge as Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Development Authority, Pahalgam, till further orders. Dalip Thusoo, Managing Director, J&K Housing Board, has been attached to the General Administration Department. The Chief Engineer, Public Works (R&B), Jammu, will hold additional charge as Managing Director, J&K Housing Board, till further orders. |
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Players await scholarships as dept short of funds
Jammu, May 16 The rules say the medallists (outstanding sportspersons) are entitled to a scholarship of Rs 10,000 while participants in various competitions must get a scholarship of Rs 1,750. Sources said the state government every year released additional funds to the DYSS for scholarships to outstanding sportspersons, but an inordinate delay in release of funds this year had been a major concern for the department which needed approximately Rs 15 lakh for awarding scholarships. The sources said the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports had not even prepared a list of sportspersons who would receive scholarships. “This is perhaps for the first time that the department is in such a precarious situation, as every year the government allotted us additional funds before the closing of the financial year to award sports scholarships, but that was not the case this year,” said one of the officials of the DYSS. “Not only sportspersons but also their parents are raising questions over the delay in awarding scholarships,” he added. Jai Pal Singh, Director, Youth Services and Sports, while talking to The Tribune said, “The department is aware of the shortage of funds. We have also sent a proposal to the state government, mentioning the actual amount needed for awarding scholarships to the outstanding sportspersons.” “There is nothing serious about the issue as we are hopeful of getting the funds from the state government soon,” the Director said. A record number of 83 medals, including 16 gold, 28 silver and 39 bronze, have been bagged by the state contingent in the 57th edition of the National School Games recently. |
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Kashmir issue must be solved for lasting peace in region, says Mufti
Banihal, May 16 He said the PDP’s self-rule proposal had the potential to address external and internal dimensions of the problems of Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a meeting at Banihal today, Mufti asserted that the road map prepared by his party was the only practical and viable solution of the Kashmir problem. “The self-rule document has been prepared by incorporating wishes and aspirations of all sections of society,” he said and added that the PDP’s road map was aimed at removing regional disparities and treating all regions and sub-regions equally. “Our agenda is to restore the dignity and honour of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and to make our state economically self-reliant,” the PDP patron said. “Before 1947, Kashmir was connected through different routes with Central and South Asia, but all the routes were closed after the Accession,” he pointed out and informed the people that self-rule aimed at opening all traditional routes to make Kashmir a business and trade centre of the region. Mufti also reiterated the demand of his party to re-negotiate discriminatory water agreements signed by the successive National Conference regimes by surrendering natural resources of the state. He regretted that despite having huge water resources, Jammu and Kashmir had to depend on the Centre for economic development. |
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Kheer Bhawani temple gears up for annual mela on May 29
Tulamulla (Ganderbal), May 16 The Kheer Bhawani temple attracts Kashmiri Pandits mostly. Arvind, a resident of Jammu, offered a coconut at the temple shrine, ahead of the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, which is being celebrated here on May 29. While thousands of Kashmiri Pandits, who migrated from the Valley with the eruption of militancy, attend the festival every year, local Muslims also continue to contribute to the shrine throughout the year, particularly on the occasion of the annual festival. The annual Kheer Bhawani Mela is held on the occasion of Jesht Ashtami, according to the Hindu calendar. “It is followed by Ashard Ashtami, a month later,” said ML Bhat, Additional Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Dharmarth Trust. The government and the Dharmarth Trust, headed by Chairman Dr Karan Singh, are gearing up for this year’s mela. Nearly 75,000 migrant Kashmiri Pandit pilgrims converged on the shrine last year and nearly 1 lakh pilgrims from outside the Valley are expected to visit the shrine this year. All this would not be possible without the support of the local Muslim population in this sleepy village, where the shrine premises are located on the two sides of a rivulet under the mighty Chinar trees. Like many others, Mohammad Amin, a local resident, earns his livelihood from shoe-keeping outside the temple. “We provide all facilities like medical aid, water supply, sanitation and security,” said Showkat Ahmad Mir, Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, who has been monitoring the arrangements for the festival. The Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department would provide ration and other essential commodities on the occasion, he said. “The pilgrims will start arriving at the shrine five days prior to the festival and nearly 15,000 pilgrims will arrive every day,” the Deputy Commissioner said. More pilgrims (about 1 lakh) are expected to converge on the festival this year and it would be a challenging task for the Dharmarth Trust and the government due to lack of requisite accommodation. Though tents are being provided to pilgrims, the Trust which looks after the shrine has only 20 one room tenements available for the pilgrims. More than 40 such rooms have been acquired by the government to accommodate Kashmiri Pandit youth, who have been provided government jobs under the Prime Minister’s package since 2010. The village would also toil for parking of hundreds of vehicles carrying the pilgrims from outside the Valley. Festive Fare
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Janglat Mandi encounter: Petitioners press for reinvestigation into case
Srinagar, May 16 While arguing on behalf of the petitioners, Zaitoona and Jana of Kupwara, advocate Zaffar Qureshi submitted before the high court that his only contention was that the person killed in the encounter was not a militant, Mateen Chacha, but a civilian, Abdullah Bhat. Zaitoona is Abdullah Bhat’s mother and Jana his sister. However, while partly hearing the matter, the high court posted the matter for Thursday, when apart from the petitioners’ counsel, the respondent’s counsels are also expected to present their counter-arguments. “A DNA test on the body will settle the issue. I am surprised that the state government had adopted the objection wherein the Army and police had been exonerated from all charges levelled by the petitioners,” Qureshi submitted before the single bench of Justice Hasnain Masoodi, who heard the matter. He argued that even the photo of the deceased had not been taken after it was claimed that the slain militant was a foreign militant named Mateen Chacha. “If anyone dies in an accident or cross fire, photographs of the deceased are kept in the police station and in this case, no such practice was adopted. Surprisingly, the police is asking the petitioner to submit a photograph of her son,” Qureshi said while demanding a reinvestigation into the case. He pointed out that the Senior Superintendent of Police, Anantnag, in his report had mentioned that the police had no idea as to where the grave of the deceased was. “The police officer has quoted “shariat” by saying that Muslims do not keep a mark on the grave for identification, but it is not true. That is why, the reinvestigation is needed,” he said. Judge Hasnain Masoodi, while hearing the arguments, pointed out that the petitioners’ counsel was adamant that the person who got killed in the encounter was not a militant but a civilian. The arguments in the case will continue on Thursday. Alleging that the encounter at Janglat Mandi, Anantnag, on March 1, 2001, was not genuine, the petitioners had alleged that that Mateen Chacha, whom the Army and police claim was a foreign militant and was killed in the Janglat Mandi encounter, was none other than 70-year-old civilian Abdullah Bhat, son of Qadir Bhat of Machil Kupwara. In the Janglat Mandi encounter, besides Abdullah Bhat, two civilians and two Army men were
also killed. The dead included Colonel J P Janu, the then Commanding Officer of a local RR Unit, Sepoy Ganesh Kumar, Mohammad Shafi, son of Abdul Rasheed of Khawaja Mir Ali, Islamabad, and Abdul Ahad Sheikh, son of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh of Janglat Mandi. Lt Gen Bikram Singh was then a Brigadier commanding the 1 Sector Rashtriya Rifles and was also injured in the
gun battle. |
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44,232 cases pending in J&K High Court
Jammu, May 16 In response to information sought by RTI activist Raman Sharma, Registrar Judicial, Sanjeev Gupta, who is also the Public Relations Officer disclosed that as on April 16, 2012, 30,318 cases were
pending in the Jammu wing of the high court and 13,914 in the Srinagar wing. A majority of these pending cases are related to service matters. In the Jammu wing, five cases have been pending for more than 30 years while 28 cases, including some criminal and civil matters, have been pending for over 20 years. Cases which have been pending for over 20 years include a letters patent appeal (LPA), 12 other writ matters (OWM), four civil matters and four criminal matters. As many as 1,326 cases have been pending
in the Jammu wing for the last 10 years. In the Srinagar wing, two cases have been pending for over 30 years while eight cases have been pending for over 20 years. As many as 573 cases, relating to criminal and civic matters, are pending for over 10 years, and 30 public interest litigation (PIL) are also pending. As the RTI activist sought information regarding the total number of cases, writs, PILs, criminal and civil matters pending in the high court that had not been listed for hearing or admission for the last one year and more, it was mentioned in the reply that no such data or statistic
had been maintained in the court. The reply disclosed that priority was given only to senior citizens in listing cases. |
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Home Secy meets Guv, reviews security
Srinagar, May 16 He is expected to visit the cross-LoC Trade centres at Uri in Baramulla district of north Kashmir and Chakan-Da-Bagh in the Jammu region tomorrow. The Union Home Secretary reviewed the security and law and order situation with senior state government functionaries and senior officers here today. Singh called on Governor N N Vohra at Raj Bhawan this evening wherein various issues were discussed in an hour-long meeting. The issues included matters relating to internal security and border management; AFSPA; militants who had gone to PoK and Pakistan for illegal arms training and were now returning via the Nepal route; lands and buildings occupied by the Army and security forces; trans-LoC trade; training programmes for police personnel; and counter-terrorism. Earlier, R K Singh had called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and discussed matters relating to the prevailing security and law and order situation in the state. |
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2 killed, 82 hurt in road mishaps
Srinagar, May 16 A passenger bus turned turtle near Dad Ompora in central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Two passengers identified as Mohammad Altaf (28) and Nazir Ahmad Najar (22) were killed in the incident while 37 passengers received injuries. All the injured were shifted to a nearby hospital out of which 27 persons were referred to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital in Srinagar. In another incident, a bus carrying schoolchildren collided with a tractor in Kulgam district during which 42 students and the driver of the tractor got injured. In Anantnag district, a Tata Sumo overturned near Brakpora, resulting in injuries to two passengers.
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Urban local bodies forum holds stir
Srinagar, May 16 The protesters gathered at the Press Enclave where JKULBEUF president Manzoor Ahmad Pampori claimed that employees of the urban local bodies had not been paid salaries for the past four to five months. “We demand the payment of pending salaries and regularisation of daily wagers,” the protesters said. Later, forum members tried to take out a procession towards Lal Chowk. However, policemen on duty at the Press Enclave foiled their bid by detaining a few protesters. Other forum demands include implementation of service recruitment rules, release of 20 per cent arrears under the Sixth Pay Commission and transparent transfer policy within the department. |
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Rajouri bus stand awaits repairs
Rajouri, May 16 President, Vyapar Mandal, Rajouri, Vijay Kumar said, “Bus Stand, Rajouri, is in a bad condition and needs immediate repairs.” He said while sewage water was overflowing on streets, heaps of garbage could be seen lying at various places, which directly affected the business community of the town. He said the authorities were repeatedly told about the bad condition of the bus stand, but nothing had been done till date. “Even a small downpour inundates the entire bus stand and the road condition hampers the movement of traffic and pedestrians,” said residents. A local resident said, “Besides the bus stand, many other roads under the R&B Department are in a poor condition. The Municipal Committee, Rajouri, has failed to improve the condition of roads and lanes. The bad condition of lanes causes inconvenience to people.” Sanjeev Sharma Mangu, local Sarpanch, said, roads links, including the Gujjar mandi to Darhali bridge and District Hospital Rajouri road, Bus Stand to TCP Road are in a bad condition. We have appealed to the authorities a lot of times to repair the roads, lanes and drains in Rajouri town and adjoining areas immediately so that the people do not suffer anymore, but all in vain. He said street dogs had become another threat to passengers at Bus Stand, Rajouri, and the people faced a lot of difficulties due to the lack of required facilities, including
passenger sheds and waiting rooms. “The vehicles have suffered extensive damage due to bumpy and potholed roads inside the bus stand. The maintenance cost of our vehicles has gone
up due to bad roads,” a transporter said. |
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BSNL services affected in Katra
Katra, May 16 Already aggrieved with the poor services, the BSNL subscribers today faced inconvenience due to fluctuating service of mobile phones while the Internet remained off for the day today in the Katra and Reasi areas. The subscribers, including pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi and Shiv Khori shrine, had to face problems due to
bad connectivity. People alleged that the fluctuating service added to their woes. “The poor administration of the BSNL has kept many Internet subscribers on their toes, as nobody from the BSNL provides us information about the gag,” said Sanjeev Kalaria, an Internet subscriber. “From early morning we had problem in connecting with other telecom service providers through our mobile phones,” said Rahul Suri, a BSNL mobile
phone subscriber. Telecom District Manager, BSNL, Udhampur circle, TR Kapoor said, “Due to some technical snag on the Katra-Udhampur OFC link, there were some snags in mobile phone services.” He added that the services would be made functional by tomorrow as repair work had started. |
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Officials directed to ensure quality food in anganwadi centres
Poonch, May 16 “Go through the set norms in the selection process of anganwadi workers and helpers to avoid court cases,” Bhatti told the officers. He was addressing
a review meeting of the Social Welfare Department at Dak-Bungalow, Poonch. Commenting on the non-payment of pre-matric scholarships to students, he directed the department to ensure complete disbursement of all pending
scholarships before the summer vacations. Bhatti stressed upon the officers to monitor the functioning of the anganwari centres by conducting regular inspections. He directed them to
submit tour dairies in advance and work done statements to Programme Officers and the Director, Social Welfare. District Social Welfare officer, Poonch, Zakir Hussain informed the meeting about achievements of
the department. |
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Col Palta takes over as Jammu Defence PRO
Jammu, May 16 Colonel Palta has participated in the raising of two new infantry units, the first one in the Punjab
Regiment and the second one in the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI) Regiment. He has earlier served as the PRO (Defence), Jodhpur, from 2004 to 2007. Prior to the current posting, the officer was posted as the PRO (Defence) at Kohima in Nagaland.
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K-issue can’t be resolved till Cong in power: Bhim Singh
Srinagar, May 16 “The issue will not be resolved as long as the Congress is in power. New Delhi only wants pawns and (Chief Minister) Omar Abdullah is their agent,” Singh said while addressing a press conference here. He said the resolution of all issues in the state was possible only if all stakeholders held talks with an open mind. “But nobody is ready for an open discussion,” he added. Stating that holding elections would not resolve the issues either, he said: “As long as general amnesty is not given to the youth (involved in stone-throwing), things will not move forward.” While the NPP chief said his party would take part in the municipal elections, he alleged the electoral processes in the state were always a sham. Singh demanded that the government should appoint state-subjects to the top official and police posts. “On the one hand the NCis talking about autonomy and on the other hand, it exports officers from outside the state,” he added. He alleged that the findings of the magisterial inquiry into the death of NC worker Mohammad Yousuf, which had exonerated Omar, was a cover-up. |
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Former Chief Minister and patron of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today reiterated that the solution of the Kashmir issue was must.
