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India to raise JUD chief issue with Pak: Home Secy
Violent clashes mark Youth Congress elections
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Lt Gen Hasnain interacts with locals in Kupwara
Army upset over unproven reports
News Analysis
Governor takes aerial recce
of Amarnath yatra tracks
Buyer-seller meetings help forge trade contacts: Vohra
Weather compels Home Secy to visit Jammu
A hospital plagued with ills
Infant deaths: Medical Superintendent shifted
Janglat Mandi case adjourned
Arms, ammunition recovered in Banihal
Reshuffle in judiciary
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India to raise JUD chief issue with Pak: Home Secy
Chakan-Da-Bagh, May 17 He also said that New Delhi wanted healthy relations and good trade ties with Pakistan and in this connection a proposal would be placed before his counterpart for having better banking facilities to encourage more trade between the two parts of divided Kashmir. Responding to media queries here this morning, Singh said: “We will ask Pakistan to hand over JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of Mumbai terror attacks, and other criminals and terrorists wanted by India.” “We also want to see a speedy trial in the Pakistani court of the seven 26/11 accused like Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi and other wanted terrorists,” he added. The Home Secretary said India wanted good trade relations with Pakistan. “To strengthen trade relations, we will propose opening of banking channels to encourage more trade between the two parts of Kashmir,” Singh said. He, however, made it clear that the LoC trade routes between the two parts of Kashmir would not be allowed for illegal activities, including hawala transactions. “We will not allow Poonch-Rawlakote and Uri-Muzaffarabad routes for hawala transactions. To put a check on such activities, we are going to set up a system wherein we will be evaluating imports and exports every after six months,” said Singh. Earlier, Singh assessed the facilities at the Trade Centre in Poonch. He also held a meeting with the top security officials to review the security arrangements on the trade route. The Home Secretary met cross-LOC traders led by their president Pawan Anand, who submitted a detailed memorandum listing their demands. |
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Violent clashes mark Youth Congress elections
Jammu, May 17 For the first time in the history of the Youth Congress, office-bearers would be elected through ballot. Over a dozen Youth Congress activists were injured in the violent clash which broke out just after the polling began. With the timely intervention of the police, the situation was brought under control and the polling restarted. A couple of Youth Congress activists were taken into custody by the police to normalise the situation. To elect booth-level delegates of Youth Congress from Jammu East Assembly, the polling started at the Congress headquarters today morning. As booth-level delegates are entitled to cast votes in the elections of the Pradesh Youth Congress president so every lobby was trying to ensure the victory of its loyalists in the first phase of the elections. Around 10.30 am when the polling began, a voter questioned the credentials of another youth who was standing in the queue. As they entered into a verbal duel, another youth rushed towards the duo and slapped one of them. Within no time, supporters of both the groups started beating each other. Youth Congress leader Varinder Chib was severely beaten by the rival group and his counter was dismantled. Chib’s supporters later launched a counter-offensive. Some Youth Congress activists allegedly took out sharp-edged weapons, but the police intervened and stopped the situation from getting worse. Additional police force was immediately rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. Chib later told The Tribune that the attack on him was part of a deep-rooted conspiracy to create fear psychosis among his supporters. “Our supporters were attacked without any reason or provocation,” he alleged. “It was a minor incident. There was a clash between supporters of two candidates,” Pankaj Punia, in charge of elections, told The Tribune. “The party has nothing to do with what happened outside the office,” he said. Punia added that the violent incident reflected that there was enthusiasm among youth to become member of the Youth Congress. Over 1 lakh members of the Youth Congress are participating in the process to elect a five member booth-level committee of delegates. Over 10,000 candidates have filed their nominations for members of the booth-level committees. |
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Lt Gen Hasnain interacts with locals in Kupwara
Srinagar, May 17 The interaction “awami sunwai” was held by Lt Gen Hasnain in the presence of Army officers, in which people interacted and aired their views, problems and suggestions. Lt Gen SA Hasnain assured the people of all-out cooperation by the Army. Among other issues, the residents put forth the problems being faced by the people of Kashmir, particularly the youth, during their visit or stay in other parts of the country. They said the youth were looked at with “suspicion”, which hampered their education and business in various parts of the country. Responding to the issue, the Corps Commander said in view of the situation over the past two decades, such things were normal. Similar feelings had been observed in the trouble-torn areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan and during the turmoil in Punjab. “It will take some time to fade away,” Lt Gen Hasnain said, adding that the situation was fast returning to normal. He said the message had to be conveyed across through the people from outside the state who work here and also through tourists visiting Kashmir. Responding to the demand for computer labs, Lt Gen Hasnain said, “youth guidance nodes were being established to prepare the youth for educational and competitive programmes.” “Such centres would be set up at Vilgam and at Handwara,” he announced, adding that these centres will be equipped with all requisite facilities. In response to the demand for adequate accommodation for players participating in the KPL tournament, which started last month, Lt Gen Hasnain said the issue would be looked into at all district headquarters where the matches were being played. The “awami sunwai” at Vilgam witnessed a huge participation of the people of the Rajwar, Quaziabad and Ramhal region. It was organised by 7 Sector Rashtriya Rifles under the aegis of Kilo Force. Maj Gen Sarath Chand, GOC CIF (K) and Brig A Arun, Commander 7 Sector Rashtriya Rifles; were present on the occasion. |
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Army upset over unproven reports
Jammu, May 17 “The scuffle between Army officers and jawans at Nyoma is being reported by some sections of the media by quoting an unsubstantiated J&K Police report. The Army is not aware of any such investigation/ report prepared by the J&K Police. In fact, the SSP, Leh, in his statement to a national daily dated May 16 has said that the police has not registered any case. Since no police investigation has been conducted, it axiomatically implies that there has been no interaction between the personnel allegedly involved in the incident and the police. Thus, the veracity of the version in the media report is tantamount to speculation and is coloured,” said Lt Col Rajesh Kalia, Defence PRO, Northern Command, in a release issued here. The Army has its own Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and any breach of discipline is viewed very seriously. The same holds good for the Nyoma incident and a proper court of inquiry with strict time line to investigate all aspects of the incident is already in progress, he added. It is reiterated that reports based on assumptions and speculations are likely to lead to misrepresentation of facts, he said. Meanwhile, the Leh SSP, Vijay Gupta, told The Tribune that the police had not registered any case in the matter. |
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News Analysis
Jammu, May 17 The hope that the report would be out in the public domain for a debate and evolve some kind of a consensus towards the Kashmir solution is still hanging in the air, and there are passionate pleas, including one from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that the report should be made public. Omar had asked at Chief Ministers’ Conference in New Delhi on April 16 that the report be made public and had urged the Central government to “take effective measures for implementing the recommendations made by the interlocutors”. “The group of interlocutors appointed by the Central government has submitted its report and I would urge the Government of India to take effective measures for implementing the recommendations made by the interlocutors,” he had pleaded at the conference. While a section of the media has carried reports, based on some leaks, on the recommendations of the three interlocutors, noted journalist Dileep Padgaonkar, academician Radha Kumar and former information commissioner M M Ansari, but there is nothing official about it as yet. The three were appointed on October 13, 2010, when the Kashmir valley was seething with anger over the death of more than 100 youth in clashes with the police and there were uncertainties around at all levels. The “azadi” sentiment was reignited and the youth were willing to face bullets and the police and paramilitary forces were struggling for options as was the political leadership in the country, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite a major shortcoming in their one-year-long tenure that they could not open dialogue with the separatists, the very fact that the trio were able to meet people -- more than 7,000 of them, individually and in delegations --- and travel across the state was not a mean achievement, given the grave situation and motives that were attached to their appointment. They became the face of Centre’s intentions to bring the state’s problems to the focus of the nation. They were appreciated at times for their “good and hard work”, and also ridiculed on occasions for the “fissures within the group” and their inability to reach out to separatists. But at the end of the day, they submitted their report. And that report is nowhere in the public domain so far. A question that is being asked: if the reports of the five working groups, constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, after the second Round Table Conference on Kashmir in May 2006 could be made public, why this report is being withheld. One of the five groups had reflected on the Centre-state relations, and yet another headed by Hamid Ansari, now vice-president, had recommended a review, almost hinting at the recall of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. It is understandable that, given the sensitivity of the situation and after the “most peaceful year” in 2011 in Kashmir, the report could not have been made public without being debated by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). Each and every aspect of the report, implication of its recommendations in each of the three regions of the state, Jammu, Ladakh and the Kashmir Valley, had to be studied and then put in the public domain. But, at the same time an endless wait has given to unnecessary controversies. However, Dileep Padgaonkar, does not “attribute any motive for the delay”, as these are “hectic” times for the government. He is confident that the “report would be made public. It is imminent.” But when, he didn’t know. That is the question for everyone here. |
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Governor takes aerial recce
of Amarnath yatra tracks
Srinagar, May 17 The Governor, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), undertook an aerial reconnaissance of the Panjtarni-Sangam-holy cave-Baltal circuit to assess the status of snowmelt. An official here said it was observed that there was huge accumulation of snow along most of the yatra track following which the Governor directed the Chief Executive Officer, SASB, to ensure the deployment of adequate work force for clearing and repairing the holy cave tracks. He stressed that once the tracks were made operational, all requisite facilities should be made available at camping sites along the tracks and the cave shrine area. The Governor also directed the CEO to ensure that all required sanitation-related measures, including operationalisation of the sewage treatment plant at the Baltal base camp were taken up well in time. After undertaking the aerial reconnaissance, the Governor landed at the Baltal base camp from where he travelled to Domel. Thereafter, he held an extensive review meeting at the Baltal base camp during which he reviewed the ongoing repair works, including those relating to internal drains, pathways, huts, toilets and baths, water supply, electric supply, sanitation, treatment plant and a helipad. Other arrangements that were discussed included deployment of mountain rescue teams of the state police at identified locations on the yatra route, setting up of joint control rooms and disaster management centres and their effective coordination with the Meteorological Department, deployment of well-equipped fire fighting force units, provision of adequate number of X-ray baggage scanning units, installation of CCTV cameras at important locations in the yatra area. Later, the Governor visited Nilgrath where he inspected the proposed site for an alternative helipad. The Governor is scheduled to undertake an aerial reconnaissance of Pahalgam-Chandanwari-Sheshnag-Mahagunas circuit on May 19 and also review the yatra arrangements at a meeting to be held at the Nunwan base camp. |
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Buyer-seller meetings help forge trade contacts: Vohra
Srinagar, May 17 The Governor was interacting with participants of the three-day ‘4th International Buyer-Seller Meet-2012’ here last evening. The meet was organised by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry and sponsored by the Union Ministry of Commerce. Referring to the obtaining security scenario the world over, the Governor observed that there was an urgent need for promoting closer understanding among people of different countries and continents so that all could progress and prosper in an environment of sustained peace, normalcy and tranquility. He observed that due to the situation in the past years, the state had suffered severe human and economic losses and the tourism and handicrafts sectors, which were important segments of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy were adversely affected. He said consequent to the efforts of the government and the people at large, normalcy had returned and tourism, handicrafts and other sectors were gradually coming back on the rails. He added that even in the mid of May there was a huge rush of tourists at Sonamarg and at all other tourist places in the Valley. He expressed hope that complete normalcy would be established in the coming times, paving the way for sustained peace, progress and prosperity. The Governor observed that Kashmir was known the world over for its exquisite handicrafts, adding that artisans, craftsmen and women produced excellent handicraft products. “You have met our people in Kashmir and seen our various products. I am sure that you will come again and establish sustained business relations with our producers in the coming times,” the Governor told the buyers from within the country and abroad. He hoped that the meet would go a long way in opening new markets for the world famous handicrafts of Kashmir |
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Weather compels Home Secy to visit Jammu
Jammu, May 17 The inclement weather in Kashmir compelled Singh to have a brief rendezvous with the city of temples today before finally flying off to Srinagar. Singh visited Chakan-da-Bagh in Poonch district to take stock of problems being faced by cross-LoC traders at 7.30 am and later flew directly to Salamabad to meet their counterparts. However, inclement weather in Kashmir compelled Singh to come all the way to Jammu. He reached here at 12.20 pm and checked into the Government Guest House at Canal Road, where he stayed for about 40 minutes. He left the place to catch his Srinagar-bound flight at 1.20 pm from Jammu Airport. He was accompanied by another Home Ministry official K Sikandan. Singh flew to Srinagar in the afternoon amidst tight security. IGP, Jammu Zone, Dilbag Singh and other senior police officers, who were present at the Guest House, escorted Singh to the airport. |
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A hospital plagued with ills
Srinagar, May 17 The inquiry is just an eyewash,” said Showkat Ahmed, an attendant from north Kashmir. “We should not expect any drastic changes after the inquiry. I believe our children would not receive good care and treatment at the hospital even after the inquiry concludes,” he added. The state government on Wednesday had ordered a probe amid reports of high number of deaths, estimated at 358 since January this year, at the hospital. The inquiry will be conducted by the Director, SKIMS, Soura, Showkat Zargar. While the authorities at the G B Pant hospital claim that infant mortalities figures were normal, but there had been over 40 infant deaths in the past fortnight allegedly due to negligence and lack of infrastructure. “We are facing shortage of staff and medical equipment. When the hospital was shifted in 2005 to Sonwari it had a capacity of 175 beds and instead of increasing the bed strength its capacity was reduced by 50 beds,” said a senior doctor at the hospital. “The hospital and especially the intensive care unit too is overcrowded with newborns. In the neo natal ward, a large number of critically ill babies are being taken care by just one nurse. And to add to the woes, there is also a shortage of ventilators,” he added. There are always two to three babies who share a single bed in the hospital. The attendants in the hospital also blame the hospital staff for the high number of infant deaths. “The hospital is virtually a death trap, especially for the newborns who are rushed to this hospital in emergencies. Whenever an infant who is critically ill is admitted in the hospital, there is usually no ventilator for him,” said Tariq Ahmed, another attendant. Official figures say 38 children had died in the hospital during January this year, 66 in February, 105 in March, 85 in April and 34 till May 12. MLA Rasheed holds protest Langate MLA Engineer Rasheed staged a protest outside the GB Panth hospital here today against the “increasing” number of infant deaths at the only paediatric hospital here. Rasheed and his supporters demonstrated outside the hospital located at the Sonawar area where he held the GB Panth administration responsible for the deaths. |
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Infant deaths: Medical Superintendent shifted
Srinagar, May 17 The government also admitted that the preliminary probe, which was ordered on Wednesday, has found that the only paediatric hospital in the city was facing shortage of manpower, equipment and certain management problems. “After the preliminary report submitted by the Director, SKIMS, Soura, Showkat Zargar, we have attached the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Javeed Chowdhary, to the Medical Health Education Department. The Medical Superintendent of the Lal Ded hospital has been given the additional charge of the children’s hospital,” Secretary, Health, M K Diwidi, said at a press conference. “If the final inquiry constituted by the government finds any medical or paramedical staff guilty of negligence, we will take action against them,” he added. Diwidi said that on the basis of the preliminary report by the SKIMS director, the government had decided to immediately recruit 44 nurses in the hospital. “In the future we will recruit more paramedical staff and also procure equipment on fast track so that the hospital is better equipped,” said the Secretary, Health. |
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Janglat Mandi case adjourned
Srinagar, May 17 “If after identifying the grave, a DNA test is carried out and it is established that Mateen Chacha was none other than Abdullah Bhat of Kupwara then a proper investigation needs to be ordered by the high court,” Qureshi said. “The court can order reopening of the case any time as a mother (one of the petitioners in the case, the other is his sister) seeks the whereabouts of her missing son.” When the petitioners’ counsel concluded his arguments, Senior Additional Advocate General A R Magray submitted that the state Advocate General Ishaq Qadri, who wanted to argue the case himself, would not be available for at least a week. The Central government was represented by K S Johal and Karnail Singh Wazir. Subsequently, after Qureshi concluded his arguments, Justice Hasnain Masoodi posted the matter after two weeks.
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Arms, ammunition recovered in Banihal
Banihal, May 17 The arms and ammunition recovered from the cave hideout included 15 UBGL grenades, four Chinese hand grenades, one RPG round, two RPG fuse, three rounds of AK-47, 4 kg explosive contained in two packets and a purse. Defence sources said except AK-47 rounds, the explosives, purse and all other things were destroyed inside the hideout. — OC
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Reshuffle in judiciary
Jammu, May 17 Among those transferred are Kartar Singh, Registrar (Vigilance), High Court, who was posted as Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Jammu. MK Hanjura, Member, J&K Sales Tax Tribunal, has been transferred and posted as Registrar (Vigilance), J&K High Court, Pawan Dev Kotwal, Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Registrar (Judicial), J&K High Court (Jammu wing), Sanjeev Gupta, Registrar (Judicial), High Court,(Jammu wing) has been transferred and posted as Presiding Officer TADA/POTA Court, Jammu. |
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Srinagar, May 17
