The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Hurriyat bandh call hits life in Kashmir Ehsan Fazili/TNS Srinagar, May 21 Normal life was disrupted across the Kashmir valley today in response to a bandh call given by the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference to commemorate the death anniversaries of Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq and separatist leader Abdul Gani Lone. Apprehending trouble the authorities foiled the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) rally scheduled to pay tributes to the two leaders at the Eidgah graveyard. Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq, father of chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was killed at his Nigeen residence on May 21, 1990. Senior APHC leader Abdul Gani Lone was shot dead at the Eidgah when separatist leaders had gathered to offer special prayers at the grave of Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq on May 21 in 2002. All shops and business establishments were closed and public transport was off the roads today. Private and government vehicles were plying in some areas while the inter-district transport was also affected. A thin attendance was seen in government offices and most of the schools were closed. The authorities had imposed restrictions in some downtown areas under five police stations. The decision to impose restrictions was taken in view of the clashes between leaders of various constituent groups of the conglomerate at the APHC office during a seminar yesterday. Stone-throwing incidents were also reported from some downtown localities during the past two days. Protesters were agitating against the house arrest of the Mirwaiz. “Attempts have been made by some miscreants to breach peace in old city areas by resorting to stone-throwing in the past few days, injuring policemen and civilians,” a police spokesman said here today. He added that in view of the reports about clashes at the Hurriyat office yesterday, “there was an apprehension that the clashes could spill onto streets during today’s proposed march”. “A team of district officers today morning led by the District Magistrate had gone to meet the Mirwaiz for facilitation of the proposed march and a rally at the Eidgah,” he added. However, the Mirwaiz declined to meet the team. The District Magistrate said they were left with no option, but to impose restrictions in some old city areas, to avoid any breach of peace.
	Agriculture Minister calls on Governor Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 21 Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today. During their meeting, the two discussed several important issues related to the socio-economic development of the state, an official said. Research and developmental goals of the two agriculture universities of the state, implementation of priority agriculture sector schemes, measures underway for the benefit of farmers and enhancing agri-productivity and production in the state were also taken up during the meeting. The Agriculture Minister and the Governor also discussed matters related to the diversification of agriculture and encouraging cultivation of low volume-high value crops, besides promotion of dairy and poultry farming. Meanwhile, Chairman, Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi, Dr George Mathew and Minister for Medical Education and Youth Services RS Chib also met the Governor at Raj Bhawan. The Governor and Dr Mathew discussed various issues relating to the establishment of Panchayati Raj institutions in the state and the crucial role they could play in the socio-economic advancement of people of rural areas. Dr Mathew briefed the Governor about the activities of the institute, particularly those relating to training and research in different arenas of the social sciences, rural entrepreneurship, Panchayati Raj, social work and right to information. Chib briefed the Governor about various matters relating to the functioning of hospitals and medical services, which were associated with the Medical Education Ministry. Vohra stressed on the vital importance of ensuring the delivery of satisfactory medical and healthcare services to all people of the state.
	Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to take disciplinary action M Aamir Khan TNS Srinagar, May 21 A day after uproarious scenes were witnessed at a seminar organised by the moderate Hurriyat faction, chairman of the amalgam Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said today disciplinary action would be taken in the matter. “There will be no compromise on issue of discipline. We are capable of resolving our differences. We have already made it clear that matters should be discussed within the forum. Moreover, there are no differences in our goal,” the Mirwaiz said while addressing a press conference at his Nigeen residence where he has been put under house arrest. Supporters of separatist leaders of the conglomerate had almost exchanged blows while exposing their differences of opinion within the moderate Hurriyat. Former chairman Abdul Gani Bhat’s recent statement that UN resolutions on Kashmir were not practically applicable in present times had drawn sharp reactions. However, the Mirwaiz reiterated the Hurriyat stand that the Kashmir issue can be resolved only by implementing UN resolutions or tripartite talks. Flaying the government for foiling his march on his father Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq’s death anniversary by placing him under house arrest, the Mirwaiz said: “The government wants an excuse and it is hiding behind claims that a rift would breach peace. What peace are they talking about when there is only enforced calm here? The government has got a phobia of people and it is scared of our programmes.” Defending the Mirwaiz’s house arrest, a police spokesman issued a statement saying that view of yesterday’s incident at the Hurriyat seminar, “there was an apprehension that clashes could have spilled onto the streets during today’s proposed march”. The police said restrictions were imposed to “avoid any breach of peace”. The Mirwaiz said his conglomerate always welcomed the “closeness” between India and Pakistan but both governments needed to consider Kashmir as the core issue.
	Public well turns into ‘conflict zone’; 18 hurt in clash at Kathua village Dalits clash with upper caste villagers near Kathua as administration fails to resolve a festering issue Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, May 21 A public well at Rasoo village in Kathua district near Lakhanpur-the gateway of Jammu and Kashmir, which provides potable water to people throughout the year, has become a ‘conflict zone’ for two communities. The village, 105 km from Jammu, is occupied predominantly by upper caste people, who allegedly don’t allow the Dalits even to go near the well. And if the Dalits enter the “restricted zone” and try to fetch water, it leads to a clash. “Tension has been brewing in the village, as the Dalits are not being allowed even to go near the public well located in the area of the upper caste community. The administration has even deployed some policemen near the well to restore normalcy in the village,” an official told The Tribune over the phone from Kathua. He said the public well located in the Dalits’ area had run dry due to rise in temperature. “The Dalits, who don’t have any other source of water in the area, are now dependent on the public well located in the area where the upper caste people are in a majority,” he said. He said a violent clash broke out between the two communities today when some Dalit women went to fetch water from the well. “Today around 7.30 am, some Dalit women went to fetch water from the well, where some upper caste women were washing clothes. There was a verbal spat between the women, which took an ugly turn within no time. Men from the two communities joined them and attacked each other with sticks and stones,” the official said. He added that 18 persons, including women (11 from the Dalit community), got critically injured in the incident. “A similar incident had taken place on January 21 and the police had registered a case against six members of the upper caste community under Section 3/7 of the Protection of Civil Rights Act and Sections 341 and 506 thereafter. The administration had held a meeting with members of both the communities on January 23 and had ordered deployment of some policemen near the public well,” the official said. The Dalit community members alleged that the administration had assured them of setting up four hand pumps in the mohalla, but nothing had been done so far. “We are not allowed by upper caste men and women to fetch water from the well. We have been discriminated against by them for a long time. Despite repeated pleas, the administration has failed to address our grievances,” Neelam Devi, an injured, said. Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Zahida Parveen Khan said she had asked the Tehsildar and the Deputy Superintendent of Police to submit a report on the issue. “It is an old issue and some anti-social elements are bent on disrupting peace in the village. There is no shortage of water. The water of a well inside a temple, just few metres away from this public well, is being used by both the communities. I fail to understand the confrontation over this particular public well,” she said. She added that a compromise was reached between the two communities and some policemen were deployed there, but still some elements were bent on disrupting peace in the area. “We will look into the issue and suitable action will be taken based on facts,” she said. Sources said the police had registered fresh counter FIRs against the members of the two communities.
	Ex-husband confesses to killing woman’s spouse Varun Suthra/TNS Jammu, May 21 The police today claimed to have exhumed the body of Ghulam Rasool, who was reported missing from Rajouri, for the past over eight months. Reports say Mohammad Yunis Khan of Rajouri, who was presently putting up at Domana, surrendered himself at the Domana police station. He told the police that he had killed Rasool in September 2011 and buried him in a desolated area near Gharota. Police sources revealed that Rasool had married Zeenat Firdous, who was Yunis’s ex-wife. If sources are to be believed, Yunis was interested to live with Zeenat again, but Rasool was against any sort of reconciliation. Zeenat’s statement has not been disclosed yet, but it was learnt that she had pressurised Yunis to surrender. Rajesh Sharma, SP, Rural, Jammu, said, “A team of the Gharota police today exhumed the body. The body was decomposed, but members of Rasool’s family identified him from his clothes. The body was handed over to them after a postmortem. Samples for a DNA test have also been sent.” A case has been registered at the Gharota police station. SSP, Rajouri, Mubassar Latifi said, “Rasool’s missing report was registered with the Rajouri police station in September 2011. The case has been taken up by the Jammu rural police for further investigations.”
	Steps being taken to check infant deaths Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 21 Various measures are being taken to check the increasing number of infant deaths at the lone children hospital here, which has been in the news for some weeks, and has invited the attention of the state and Central governments. Talking to mediapersons here this afternoon, newly-appointed Medical Superintendent Dr Muneer Masoodi said the infant mortality rate in Kashmir was low at 42 deaths per 1,000 infants as compared to the national rate of 47 per 1,000. He said there were various reasons for the “increase” in the number of infant deaths at GB Pant Hospital as reported during the recent days. These included lack of facilities and space. In order to provide adequate facilities to increasing number of patients, Dr Masoodi said 30 more beds were being set up. He pointed out that a large number of patients from distant areas of the Kashmir valley were converging at the hospital at crucial stages. Due to the non-availability of patient care at various district headquarters, critical patients were being brought to the lone paediatric hospital here, where most of the deaths took place. “The reformative measures by way of upgrading facilities, infrastructure, medical and paramedical staff would be taken up on a war footing,” the Medical Superintendent said.
	Centre promises to review Anantnag ammo depot location Aditi Tandon/TNS New Delhi, May 21 The government today promised to review the location of an ammunition depot in Anantnag’s Khundru area where blasts had taken place in 2006 causing massive losses to inhabitants of the surrounding areas. Responding to the concern raised during question hour by Anantnag MP Mehboob Beg, Minister of State for Defence M. Pallamraju said: “This unfortunate incident did take place. But we would definitely look at the situation. I am sure after the incident everything must have been reviewed and precautions taken. Whatever compensation is to be given, I am sure it is under process. But we will definitely take a look at it.” The minister gave these assurances after Beg pointed out the potential dangers the local population had to face on account of the ammunition depot’s location in their vicinity. He demanded that the government consider relocation of this depot in the wake of recent mishaps which forced several local residents to migrate to safer havens. “There was a big blast in the depot in 2005 and 2006, affecting nearby areas. When we visited the area, we found ammunition from the depot had landed in residential properties and inflicted massive damages. As many as 60 pc of the neighbouring population had to migrate to safer places. We were told the government would try to relocate the depot to ensure safety of locals but today’s written answer given by the Defence Ministry says there is no such plan,” Beg pointed out. TheNC leader from Anantnag also pointed out that the affected area had lost its original qualities and farming of paddy had also been hit. “We have been told of many casualties in the affected area recently. Will the government send a special team for a fresh review in the area?” Beg asked.
	In-house probe confirms Rs 35-cr embezzlement Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association scam Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, May 21 More than Rs 35 crore meant for promotion of cricket in J&K has been embezzled as claimed by the in-house advisory (probe) committee in its preliminary internal inquiry into the multi-crore Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) scam. Sources said the investigation panel constituted by Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) president Farooq Abdullah is likely to submit its report of initial findings to Dr Abdullah on his arrival on May 24. JKCA member Arvinder Singh Micky, one of the members of the investigation panel, told The Tribune: “Yes, preliminary investigation has been completed. Micky said: “It is just a preliminary inquiry and much more is to be investigated to know the exact amount misused by officials”. Arvinder Singh Micky also categorically made it clear that JKCA will not allow any tournament to be conducted by both Jammu and Srinagar wings till the investigation process is completed. Sources claimed that the JKCA probe committee had also found cash books missing from 2005 to 2007. A letter had been written to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for providing the balance sheets from 2006 onwards. The scam came to the fore two months ago after it was found that JKCA officials were running a number of parallel accounts in Khanyar and Air Cargo branches of JK Bank along with the original account. The funds for promotion of cricket were diverted to fake accounts by the officials.
	Hizb ultra gunned down in Kishtwar Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, May 21 A Hizbul Mujahideen militant, who was involved in the killing of an Army jawan, was gunned down in an encounter in Kishtwar district in the wee hours today. Acting on a tipoff the security forces cordoned a house in the Patimhallah area around 2 am last night Bhim Sen Tuti, SP, Kishtwar, told The Tribune. In the ensuing gunbattle the militant was shot dead . The slain ultra was identified as Akhtar Hussain, son of Abdul Rashid of Kulna Village in the Patimhallah area. One AK-56 rifle, two magazines and 25 cartridges were seized from the site of encounter, said Tuti. Akhtar was involved in the killing of Noor Hussain, a soldier of the Territorial Army, on May 2 in the mountainous district, said the SP, adding that Akhtar, who was earlier in the Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT), had recently joined the Hizbul Mujahideen. Official sources said the house belonged to Mohammed Sharief, son of Mohammed Rajab Shah of Patimhallah. After the cordon was laid, Akhtar Hussain (26) hiding in the house was asked to surrender. However, the militant opened fire on the security forces, which retaliated, killing him. Katra: A militant hideout was busted in Reasi district and arms and ammunition were recovered from it, the police said today. Acting on a tip off, troops of the Rashtriya Rifles and the police launched a search and cordon operation in the Chandra Bali Arnas forest belt of the district this morning. Six hand grenades, four detonators, two AK-47 magazines, 150 rounds, an IED circuit and 4 kg explosive were recovered from the hideout, it said.
	Unemployment issue most crucial concern: Omar Srinagar, May 21 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today that the government was addressing the unemployment problem through a “multi-pronged strategy”. Addressing a rally at Nagam in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, Omar said “despite all odds and heavy financial constraints”, the government had provided jobs to over 30,000 youth during the past three years, besides absorbing thousands in the Police Department. The Chief Minister said sanctioning 18 more polytechnics was a step forward under the skill development mission . Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather ruled out reports of fissures within the NC-Congress coalition government. “ The coalition government was functioning in tandem to move forward on the road to progress. We are enjoying full support from the Centre to accomplish peace and prosperity in the state,” he said. Omar also chaired a meeting in the summer capital where he highlighted the need for rejuvenating community information centres (CICs). He also ordered the merger of CICs and the panchayat raj system in the state. — TNS
	Home Secy-level talks on May 24, 25 M Aamir Khan/TNS Srinagar, May 21 Union Home Secretary RK Singh during his recent visit to the state has assured the business fraternity of Kashmir that the issue of multiple visit permits for cross Line of Control (LoC) traders would be raised with Pakistan during the upcoming Secretary-level bilateral talks on May 24 and 25. “We were assured that the issue of multiple visit permits for cross-LoC traders will be discussed with Pakistan so that traders are able to visit whenever a need arises,” Jammu and Kashmir Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JKJCCI) president Dr Mubeen Shah said today. He said a delegation of the JKJCCI had called on the Union Home Secretary here on Thursday to discuss problems faced by the cross-LoC traders. The JKJCCI apprised Singh about the potential of promoting joint tourism on either side of the LoC that would allow free movement of tourists and also give a fillip to the trade on both the sides. “The need for a joint collaboration in the field of education, particularly in the engineering and medical fields, besides handicrafts was pointed out to the Home Secretary. He was also apprised of the possibility of joint projects on power generation, benefits of which can be enjoyed by both the sides,” Shah said. Singh was told that the JKJCCI wished to turn Jammu and Kashmir into a free economic zone and that the LoC trade be treated as an “international trade”.