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Tragic end to 3rd Mughal Road car rally
Geelani threatens fresh stir
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Amarnath Darshan
Agencies employed for smooth conduct of yatra
DGP reviews security, yatra arrangements
Paying guest culture gaining ground in tourist destinations
BSP finding it difficult to keep its flock together
Students’ Thrashing in haryana
Cricketers in a bind over JKCA’s apathy
Mir, Subhashini Ali call on Governor
Gurpurb arrangements discussed
Divisional status sought for Ladakh
‘Youth’s focus now on development’
Shrine Blaze
Bio-fertiliser plant comes up in state
50 drug peddlers booked in 2 yrs
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Tragic end to 3rd Mughal Road car rally
Srinagar, July 2
Jitender Shukla, who was participating in the Enduro category of the rally, met with an accident late yesterday night at the Sinthan Pass, which connects the Kashmir valley to Kishtwar district in the Jammu region. While Shukla was found dead by the rescue team, his aide Ashish Mahajan sustained serious injuries. He is undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit of the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, here where his condition is said to be critical. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was earlier scheduled to distribute prizes to the winners at a function here, but the function was cancelled due to the death of the driver. “Shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of life of one of the participants of the Mughal rally. Hope his co-driver makes a complete recovery. Though danger is an integral part of any adventure sport and everything is done to minimise it, our hearts go out to the families of both,” Omar tweeted after the incident. The Shimla-based Himalayan Motorsport Association, which had organised the event along with the state Tourism Department mourned the incident. The rally had begun on Saturday in which 93 teams participated in different events. The nearly 600-km-long rally passes through the historical road, which was used by Mughal caravans during their to-and-fro movement to Kashmir.
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Geelani threatens fresh stir
Srinagar, July 2 “We have come to know through confirmed sources that Indian policy makers have hatched a conspiracy whereby they intend to settle non-state subjects here in the name of rehabilitating Kashmiri Pandits. Through these settlement colonies for Pandits, they want to create a state within the state….We will launch a public awareness campaign to create awareness regarding the matter and if the government does not withdraw its dangerous plan, we will start an agitation,” Geelani said while addressing a press conference here at his Hyderpora residence. Geelani went on to claim that the government would create these colonies with the help of Israeli intelligence agency Mossad to “change” the demography of the state and to “conspire” against the “struggle” of Muslims. “Through these satellite colonies, they want to settle RSS and Sangh Parivar people here just like Jews have been settled in Palestine. The Tourism Department’s (recent) move to attract Israeli tourists is part of this conspiracy as they actually want to start a civil war in Kashmir, besides damaging its status,” he added. While Geelani alleged that the government had identified land for creating these colonies, he did not identify the places. However, the separatist leader asserted that his party was not against the return of Kashmiri Pandits. “Pandits are part of our society and they are our brothers. They are welcome here and we want to assure them that they do not have any danger from the majority community. India also is giving a communal colour to our movement by creating an impression that we are anti-Pandits,” he said. Geelani appealed to the Pandits not to “fall in the government’s trap” and refrain from settling in “safe and separate colonies”. “We want that they should be rehabilitated at their actual places. Whenever we interacted with Pandits, they always expressed willingness to live side by side with their Muslim brothers,” he added. Geelani flayed the state government for “succumbing” to the “designs of New Delhi” by not “opposing” its policies. |
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Amarnath Darshan
Srinagar, July 2 The annual yatra to the holy cave shrine began on June 25 and is scheduled to conclude on the occasion of Shravan Poornima that coincides with Raksha Bandhan on August 2. Around 20,000 pilgrims have had darshan of the ice lingam of Lord Shiva every day since the yatra to the holy cave, located at a height of 13,500 ft, began last Monday. The yatra is continuing on both the traditional route of Pahalgam in Anantnag district of south Kashmir and the shorter route of 13 km from Baltal near Sonmarg on the Srinagar-Leh axis amid tight security and administrative arrangements. There are reports of a heavy rush in the cave shrine area with pilgrims jostling with eath other to pay obeisance, leading to “unorganised queues” at times. This is mainly because of the lesser number of days for the yatra this year as compared to previous years. Instead of a one-and-a-half-month period, the yatra this year is scheduled for 39 days only. Moreover, there is a heavy cover of snow in the shrine area, though the snow level is decreasing with each passing day. As many as 9,693 yatris left the Baltal base camp and 5,853 yatris left the
Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp for the holy cave this morning. Nearly 20,000 pilgrims had darshan till late this afternoon. There is a heavy rush of vehicles carrying pilgrims via Srinagar who arrive here from different parts of the country. The police had allowed the Srinagar bypass route for vehicles carrying pilgrims from the Athwajan-Parimpora-Sumbal-Ganderbal side to avoid heavy rush and traffic problems. This was also done in view of the situation arising out the shrine blaze here on Monday last. While the situation has returned to normal, the pilgrim traffic continues to move via
Srinagar. A total of 5,600 pilgrims arrived at the base camp of Baltal via Srinagar from different parts of the country today. |
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Agencies employed for smooth conduct of yatra
Srinagar, July 2 An official spokesman said today that 16,840 patients were treated by OPD, Baltal while 1,030 in IPD, 1,233 dental case, 189 X-ray and 58 ECG besides one delivery has been made at the Baltal camp and accordingly more than 2,250 pilgrims have been treated so for at AYUSH camp. To provide safe drinking water facilities, the PHE department is providing 60 connections to langars, besides installed 740 public posts for latrines and bathroom for the yatris. The Forest Department has distributed 932.88 quintal firewood and has availability of 1496 quintal of the same for camps like holy cave and Panjtarni. The Animal Husbandry Department has registered 2,950 horses and ponies from May 23 to June 30, 350 treated animals, made 12 surgeries and 11 animals have been vaccinated against communicable diseases. Accordingly, the CAPD has issued 270.35 quintal rice, 120.80 quintal flour, 124.60 quintal sugar, 97.50 quintal brown wheat, 3346 LPG cylinders and 17,660 litre kerosene oil at Baltal camp. — TNS
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DGP reviews security, yatra arrangements
Jammu, July 2 Rajendra was chairing a high-level meeting at the Police Headquarters here this morning. The meeting, attended by senior police, paramilitary and intelligence officers, was convened to take stock of the law and order situation and the security scenario in Jammu division. Rajendra stressed the need for enhancing coordination among the law-enforcing agencies to ensure sustained peace. He called for maintaining a constant vigil on the activities of anti-national elements and trouble makers in order to curb their ill-designs. “Such elements are always on the lookout for an opportunity to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the state,” he said. The meeting also discussed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra and the arrangements made for it. Officers present at the meeting apprised the DGP of the efforts made for the security and convenience of the pilgrims in Jammu. He was told that the yatra was going on smoothly and all security and other arrangements were continuing in coordination with other agencies related with the yatra. Rajendra expressed satisfaction over the arrangements and asked the officers to supervise the arrangements personally. He also enquired about the performance of joint control rooms and meetings of different agencies to maintain coordination. Expressing satisfaction over the law and order situation and the security in the province, the DGP said the Jammu and Kashmir police, with the cooperation of people, had always succeeded in foiling the ill-designs of bad elements. “The people-friendly attitude of the force has helped us get the desired results in our fight against crime,” he said. Earlier, the DGP visited Miran Sahib and inspected the pace of construction work on the Mahila Battalion Headquarters, which is being constructed to accommodate the IRP 15th Battalion, an armed battalion for women. Prominent among others present at the meeting included Inspectors-General of Police Dilbag Singh, B Srinivas and Gulzar Singh Salathia and Deputy Inspectors-General of Police Jagjit Kumar, JP Singh, Garib Dass, Surinder Gupta and Johney William. |
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Paying guest culture gaining ground in tourist destinations
Jammu, July 2 During the Bhaderwah festival, which concluded on June 27, tourists from outside the state preferred to stay as paying guests to live in a homely atmosphere. As it is not easy for the authorities to develop infrastructure in one go, the government is also encouraging private entrepreneurs in the tourism sector. Ravinder Singh, a tourist from Pathankot, said it was a nice experience to stay as a paying guest. Ravinder, along with his family, visited Bhaderwah for the first time and they enjoyed their stay as paying guests. “It was a new experience and we enjoyed it,” Ravinder said, adding that next summer, he would again stay as a paying guest. Sweety Bhat, a resident of Muthi, Jammu, who stayed as a paying guest at Bhaderwah along with her family, said the system was beneficial for tourists also. “As paying guests, we enjoy our stay in a complete homely atmosphere,” she said, adding that it was the first time they stayed as paying guests. The state government is encouraging the paying guest culture because it will solve the problem of accommodation for tourists and create employment opportunities for local residents. According to an official document, the government has given subsidy on paying guest accommodation and other incentives to the private sector. In 2009-10, an amount of Rs 98.37 lakh was distributed as subsidy among 114 persons who provided paying guest accommodation to tourists in the Kashmir valley. In 2010-11, this amount was Rs 75.90 lakh and the number of beneficiaries was 141. In the Jammu region, an amount of Rs 18.34 lakh was distributed among 40 beneficiaries in 2009-10 and Rs 81.48 lakh
among 53 beneficiaries in 2010-11. The state government, according to a new policy, will provide a subsidy of 40 per cent to house owners for conversion of their houses into paying guest accommodation up to a ceiling of Rs 2 lakh in each case in areas to be notified by the Tourism Department separately. |
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BSP finding it difficult to keep its flock together
Jammu, July 2 Earlier, Kamal Arora, who had lost the 2008 Assembly elections from the Bishnah segment by a narrow margin, had left the party and joined the National Conference. Similarly, Vinod Khajuria, another mass-base leader of the BSP from the Ramnagar segment of Kathua district, had joined the Congress. Another party stalwart, Hussain Ali Wafa, has also left the party. Those who have left the party have openly stated that there is no future of the BSP in Jammu and Kashmir because the central leadership is not interested in strengthening the party in this region. Insiders in the party said it was all due to the attitude of the high command that leaders were quitting the party and exploring possibilities in other parties. The BSP failed to perform well in the 2008 Assembly elections due to the “wrong distribution” of the ticket and mismanagement by those who were at the helm of affairs at that time. BSP candidates got a good chunk of votes in half a dozen constituencies. The party failed to open its account despite the fact that it had a strong vote bank in the Jammu region. Party leaders, who have recently left the BSP, blamed the central leadership for not taking Jammu and Kashmir seriously. They alleged that despite having a strong vote bank, the party leadership had failed to channel the energy of its supporters. Not only were leaders quitting the party, the BSP vote bank was also shrinking due to the failure of both the state and the central leadership. The Congress was strengthening its base among the Dalit vote bank of the BSP. Some veteran BSP leaders have already left the party due to the “attitude” of the party leadership. Dr Satpal, one of the founder members of the BSP in the state, was forced to resign following his differences with the high command. Dr Satpal was the state president of the BSP and had a following among Dalit voters in the Vijaypur and Samba Assembly segments. While resigning from the BSP, he had levelled serious allegations against the high command. Similarly, HR Chargotra, the OBC face in the BSP, too, had resigned from the party. |
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Students’ Thrashing in haryana
Srinagar, July 2 “Deputed an officer to visit Haryana to meet the students who had some problems at an engineering college in Ambala where they are studying,” Omar wrote on the micro-blogging website, Twitter. He made the comment following local media reports that some Kashmiri students studying at the engineering college in Ambala in Haryana were thrashed. Omar said: “The officer of the police also met the local administration to follow up the complaint and to ensure that it is taken to it’s logical end.” The alleged thrashing of the Kashmiri students had also been condemned by the ruling National Conference and chairman of the moderate Hurriyat faction Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. |
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Cricketers in a bind over JKCA’s apathy
Jammu, July 2 Talking to The Tribune, many cricketers expressed their displeasure over the prevailing status quo and blamed the JKCA for putting their future at stake. “The JKCA is non-serious about our future. Look at the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the way it has explored the potential of cricketers by providing them an ideal platform to showcase their skills,” said a cricketer on condition of anonymity. “The recent unearthing of the multi-crore scam shows how serious the office-bearers are when it comes to promoting the game,” another cricketer said. “Even the postponement of the foundation stone laying ceremony slated for March 18 owing to the scam is a glaring example of the non-seriousness of the association in constructing the proposed cricket stadium at Bajalta,” he said. “For representing at the international level, you need the backing of the association first of all. Secondly, the kind of infrastructure being provided by the association to its cricketers is really poor,” another cricketer claimed. When contacted by The Tribune, Shambu Nath Sharma, Vice-Chairman, JKCA (Jammu Wing), said, “JKCA president Farooq Abdullah is expected to arrive at Srinagar soon to convene a meeting on the conduct of cricketing activities in the state.” Asked about the apprehensions being raised by the cricketers, he said, “We are aware of the concerns of the cricketers and I am hopeful that the matter will be sorted out soon.” |
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Governor for speedy completion of Mughal Road project
Srinagar, July 2 Emphasising the importance of this road, the Governor observed that besides providing the shortest road link between Poonch and Rajouri districts in Jammu division and the Kashmir valley, the highway would open up the entire area for trekking, mountaineering, tourism and speedy economic development. He called for the speedy completion of works on the road. Bimal Tikoo, Chief Engineer of the Mughal Road project, informed Vohra that until now an amount of Rs 529 crore had been spent on the construction of the 84-km Mughal Road from Bafliaz to Shopian, against an estimated cost of Rs 639.85 crore. The Governor and the First Lady also visited the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, which is spread over 341 sq km. The sanctuary houses Markhor, which is an endangered species, besides brown bear, musk deer, leopard and 130 species of birds. The Governor and the First Lady also paid obeisance at the shrine of Hazrat Ahmad Karim Sahib at Pir Ki Galli and prayed for sustained peace and prosperity in the state.
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Mir, Subhashini Ali call on Governor
Srinagar, July 2 During their meeting, the Governor and the Agriculture Minister discussed productivity issues relating to various crops during the last Rabi season. They also deliberated on the measures undertaken on the required technical know-how, fertilisers, high-yielding variety seeds and other agricultural inputs being supplied to farmers to enhance agri-productivity in the state. The Governor congratulated Mir for having procured one lakh tonnes of wheat from Jammu division and also for increasing quantities of improved seed for the farmers. He urged the minister to establish closer coordination between university experts and the extension staff of the Agriculture Department. Vohra and Mir also discussed matters relating to the time-bound implementation of programmes for the diversification of agriculture. During another meeting, the Governor and activist Ali discussed important issues relating to the all-round empowerment of women, particularly those belonging to the disadvantaged sections of society. The Governor stressed the role of voluntary and social organisations in enhancing awareness among women about various schemes and programmes being implemented for their empowerment. |
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Gurpurb arrangements discussed
Srinagar, July 2 Speaking at a meeting convened to discuss the issue, the minister asked the officers to put in place a foolproof mechanism to ensure that the devotees did not face any inconvenience. He said they should also get the requisite feedback from parbandak committees maintaining gurdwaras regarding the requirements of various essential services. The minister directed the Director-General, Fire Services, to have all arrangements in place to meet any eventuality. Sagar asked the Chief Engineers of the PDD and the PHE Department to provide uninterrupted supply of power and water to gurdwaras for the convenience of the devotees.
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Divisional status sought for Ladakh
Jammu, July 2 CRL director Nawang Tsering Shakspo told The Tribune that the interlocutors’ report had stated that Ladakh should no longer be part of Kashmir division. “I would like to add to this proposal the recommendation for change of the nomenclature of the state so that it should be called ‘Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh’. I would further propose that Leh be considered the autumn capital of the state so as to add parity with Jammu and Srinagar. In doing this, each of the state’s important regions would be given fair treatment in every sphere of political activity,” he added. Underlining the grievances of the residents of Ladakh, Shakspo said the absence of divisional status was one of the root causes of the backwardness in the region. “Because of the long struggle of the people of Ladakh, the government finally created two Autonomous Hill Development Councils for the two districts of the Ladakh region but it seems the two councils are not fulfilling the aspirations of their people. This is because the state government’s allocation of funds to the two district development councils does not adequately cater Ladakh’s size and its geographical and strategic importance,” he added. He said the Ladakh region was getting a meagre share in all the developmental projects or creation of jobs which were determined by the Cabinet or government at the divisional level. “Even after 60 years of independence, the people of Leh and Kargil still have to be contended with only five hour electricity in a day,” said Shakspo. “Ladakh’s political position is no less tenuous than its administrative one. I therefore consider this particular proposal of the interlocutors to be a well-thought proposal that lies in
the interest of the overall development of the region,” he added. |
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‘Youth’s focus now on development’
Srinagar, July 2 Addressing a public meeting in Kunzar area of Gulmarg constituency, Mir said the DPN’s objective was to provide a platform for the youth to tap their hidden potential in the right direction. He added that the development mindset among the youth would certainly help Jammu and Kashmir emerge as an economically stable state. The main motive of the party was to motivate the youth towards prosperity and not violence, he said. —
TNS
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Shrine Blaze
Srinagar, July 2 The anger over the damage caused by fire to the shrine of Pir Dastageer Sahib last Monday was one such incident. The coalition government, led by Omar Abdullah, survived yet another jolt in the form of massive public anger, the third since he took over as the Chief Minister early in 2009. Later, Omar Abdullah expressed his gratitude to the public for the “maturity it displayed at the moment of challenge”. “I also want to thank those who do not share our political viewpoint for working positively to help maintain peace by making appeals for peace,” he said while interacting with members of civil society. “The government has handled the situation in a proper way with the help of religious leaders. A single incident of firing by police (to disperse any demonstrators) would have completely changed the situation to a point of no return,” a political observer said. Omar Abdullah’s government was first jolted by a series of general strikes and protest demonstrations over the alleged rape and killing of two women at Shopian in May 2009. The situation came to normal only after two months. Then his government was faced with the summer unrest of 2010 in which nearly 120 persons were killed in a vicious cycle of clashes between the security forces and protesters. This time, normalcy was restored within a week after the fire gutted the shrine of Pir Dastageer Sahib last Monday. The government heaved a sigh of relief on this. Many say the handling of the situation with the help of the Grand Mufti, Bashiruddin Ahmad, and those associated with the tourism trade helped in normalising the situation. In the past, there have been incidents of damage to shrines in Kashmir, particularly during the two decades of militancy in the state. The shrine of Sufi saint Sheikh Nooruddin Wali was gutted in a devastating fire during an encounter between militants and the security forces at Chrar-e-Sharief in May 1995. Another shrine Khanqah-e-Faiz Panah at Tral in south Kashmir was damaged in a mysterious fire in December 1997, one of the oldest shrines in the Valley. Even though over 15 years have elapsed since then, the reconstruction is still incomplete, both at Chrar-e-Sharief and Tral. On two previous occasions, the shrine issue has toppled the government in the state. The first was in 1986 when GM Shah had to step down on a similar issue following the Rajiv-Farooq accord. The Congress-PDP coalition government led by Ghulam Nabi Azad stepped down a few months before its stipulated time in July 2008 over the Amarnath land issue, paving the way for fresh elections. |
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Bio-fertiliser plant comes up in state
Srinagar, July 2 The minister said this while inaugurating the bio-fertilizer plant on Wadoora campus of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K) near Sopore. This is the biggest plant among northern agriculture universities. With this the SKUAST-K has become the first agriculture varsity in north India to produce liquid bio-fertiliser material and Shalimar Microbes for the benefit of growers and farmers of the Valley. The minister was accompanied by Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Tej Partap, Director Research, SKUAST-K, Shafiq Wani, Horticulture Director, Kashmir, GH Shah, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Farooq Ahmad Lone, Associate Director Research, MY Zargar and other senior officers. The Minister hailed the research work carried out by scientists for producing a microbe which could be used for ecomposition of solid waste, removal of bad smell from solid waste besides preparing feed material for animals and growth of fish by effecting certain changes in the composition of the microbe. He said the main use of this microbe would help in infusing eco-friendly organic farming in the state. |
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50 drug peddlers booked in 2 yrs
Srinagar, July 2 “Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, issued 27 warrants under the PSA in 2011-12 under Section (3) of Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PNDPS) Act, 1988 while 23 persons were detained under the PSA last year,” an official said. Under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988, the Central and state governments are empowered
to make orders of detention with respect to any person, including a foreigner, with a view to prevent them from committing illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Under the Act, drug traffickers can be detained
for a period of one to two years. |
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The third Mughal Road car rally ended on a sad note today as one of the participating drivers lost his life in an accident while his aide suffered critical injuries.
Alleging that the Centre had hatched a “deep conspiracy” whereby it intended to settle non-state subjects in Kashmir, chairman of the hardline Hurriyat faction Syed Ali Shah Geelani today threatened to launch a fresh agitation.
The paying guest culture is becoming popular in tourist destinations which lack adequate infrastructure to accommodate tourists from different parts of the country. In the fast-emerging tourist destinations like Bhaderwah and the adjoining localities, the paying guest culture has become quite popular.
Shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of life of one of the participants of the Mughal rally. Hope his co-driver makes a complete recovery. Though danger is an integral part of any adventure sport and everything is done to minimise it, our hearts go out to the families of both
