The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	LeT module busted in Sopore; 7 held Were planning to carry out terror attacks Tribune News Service Srinagar, July 4 The police claims to have busted a module of Lashkar-e-Toiba in Baramulla district of north Kashmir by arresting seven persons. The police said a “major terror and subversion plan of terrorists” had been averted with the arrests. The seven members of the terror module were arrested from different areas of Sopore town and its adjoining areas. “Local youngsters were recruited into the outfit to build a network of LeT operatives. They were planning attacks in and around Sopore in criminal conspiracy with a Pakistani terrorist, Fahadullah, who had been taking directions from Hanzullah, an LeT commander based in Pakistan,” said Sopore SP Imtiyaaz Hussain. “Fahadullah is the only surviving LeT terrorist of Pakistani origin active in Sopore now. After being indoctrinated by the terrorist, the group members had formally joined the LeT and were given communication gadgets and weaponry,” he added. “Before being initiated into the organisation, the members of the module had been assigned the task of moving weapons and money, identifying targets vis-a-vis security installations and arranging communication devices. Some members of the module were preparing to visit Pakistan to get further training in bomb making and other terrorist activities, while the others were planning to carry out grenade attacks on VIP rallies, police and security forces,” the SP said. The police has recovered ammunition and weapons, including an under-barrel grenade launcher (UBGL), a detonator, a rocket launcher and four hand grenades. Those arrested have been identified as Umar Rashid Shalla, alias Khan, alias Faisal; Shabir Ahmad Shosha, alias Waseem, both from Sidiq Colony, Sopore; Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, alias Sajad; Mudasir Majeed Dar, alias Ammar, both from Bona Lalad; Amir Bashir War, alias Mahi, of Umarabad, Sopore; Reyaz Ahmad Dhobi of Model Town, Sopore; and Maroof Ahmad Lone of Hadipora, Sopore.
	Machil fake Encounter Case High Court gives Army option for trial Majid Jahangir/TNS Srinagar, July 4 The High Court has quashed the orders of the trial court in the Machil fake encounter case and asked the Army to exercise option for trial either in a civil or an Army court. The civil court in Baramulla and Sopore had rejected the Army plea that had sought the transfer of the case to the Army to conduct the general court martial. The Army had filed a revision petition against the order in the High Court. “Both orders of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sopore, and the Sessions Judge, Baramulla, were quashed by the High Court. The Army has been empowered to exercise the option under the Army Act for trial in the case,” Karnail Singh, Army’s counsel in the case told The Tribune. The Army counsel will move an application in the trial court for the transfer of the case to the Army. The single Bench of Justice Hasnain Masoodi had reserved its verdict after concluding the arguments on April 24. In April 2010, three youths — Shezhad Ahmad, Riyaz Ahmad and Mohammad Shafi — all residents of Nadihal village in Baramulla, were allegedly killed in a fake encounter by the Army at Machil on the LoC in Kupwara. All three had been dubbed foreign militants by the Army. The killing had triggered protests across the Valley, leading to a cycle of killings in clashes with the police and paramilitary forces over a period of four months in 2010. The alleged fake encounter surfaced when some residents of Nadihal alleged that the three missing village youths had been killed in an encounter stage-managed by the Army. The bodies were exhumed on May 29, 2010 and were identified as those of the three village youths. The police later chargesheeted an Army officer, Col DK Pathania of 4 RR, two Majors — Upendra Singh and Maurya (adjutant) — four soldiers and three civilians under Section 302, RPC, in the case. Three persons, including a Territorial Army jawan, were arrested by the police, but they did not arrest the Army officers who had figured in the chargesheet. The trial commenced before the Sopore CJM and in July 2010, the Army moved an application and sought the transfer of the case to the Army to enable them to conduct a general court martial. But the CJM rejected the application. The Army later moved a revision petition before the court of the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Baramulla, against the CJM’s order. The Sessions Court, also rejected the Army plea. The Army then moved to the High Court, which stayed the trial.
	Valley joins ‘destination wedding’ bandwagon with Rs 5-crore event Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, July 4 Most of the 500 guests were flown in on chartered flights, put up in plush hotels, driven around in a swarm of luxury cars and entertained by Punjabi pop singer Mika. Mayank and Pallavi’s three-day Rs 5-crore wedding was one of those grand high society destination weddings that are often witnessed in exotic locales of Mauritius, Vienna, Milan, Paris and Udaipur. Well this wedding took place at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), lined by hired houseboats on the serene Dal in Srinagar. Kashmir, which is swarming with tourists this year, is also emerging as an attractive destination to host high society grand functions, thanks to an extended spell of calm. The wedding was initially planned for Mauritius. But a senior J&K police officer, a relative of the groom’s family that hails from Uttar Pradesh, requested both families to solemnise the wedding in Srinagar. The bridegroom’s family, hailing from Rajasthan, is into diamond business. One of the members who organised the event said for the June 22-24 wedding, almost all high-end luxury hotels in Srinagar, including Lalit Grand and Taj Vivanta on the foothills of Zabarwan overlooking the Dal lake, were booked. The “lagan mandap” was set up in the lush lawns of the SKICC on the banks of the Dal and the bridegroom reached the venue in a well-decorated shikara. The wedding was solemnised with Hazratbal and Peer Makhdoom Sahib shrines and Shankaracharya temple in the backdrop. The wedding was attended by state minister Nasir Aslam Wani and several top civil and police officials. “It was a grand wedding and the orgaisners were instructed to maintain secrecy of the event,” said an officer who attended the function.
	Oil tanker drivers call off stir Rs 1 lakh, job for victim’s kin Varun Suthra Tribune News Service Jammu, July 4 The All-Jammu and Kashmir Oil Tanker Drivers and Cleaners Union called off its indefinite strike after the government accepted its demands this evening. The union had gone on an indefinite strike yesterday, demanding action against those involved in the mysterious killing of a Jammu-based driver in the Valley recently. The union had demanded relief for the bereaved family and a government job for one family member. It had also asked the authorities concerned to ensure the safety and security of tanker drivers and cleaners on state roads. Devender Singh, general secretary of the union, said they held meetings with the administration, which accepted most of their demands. “The series of meetings began at 10 am and went on till 5 pm. We met with different officials from the district and divisional administration, including District Development Commissioner, Jammu; Additional District Development Commissioner, Jammu; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; and Jammu IG and DIG,” he said. The administration had accepted most of their demands, he claimed. “The administration has released Rs 1 lakh as ex gratia for the bereaved family and sanctioned the job of a special police officer to the deceased’s wife. We have also been ensured security for drivers by the police. The Jammu IG has instructed the SHOs concerned to deploy more flying squads on the routes. The administration has also instructed the drivers not to offer rides to strangers on the route, to which we have agreed.” On action against the Pulwama SHO, he said the police had assured an inquiry into the matter and punish those found guilty. Akshay Kumar, an oil tanker driver hailing from Nowshera in Rajouri district, had offered lift to two unknown persons posing as truck drivers near the Jawahar tunnel on June 22. Akshay’s body was found buried in the Qazigund area, over 90 km from Srinagar, on June 30. The union had gone on an indefinite strike, demanding action against the culprits.
	Second extension to BOPEE Chairman draws flak Tribune News Service Jammu, July 4 Amid the allegations of favouritism in the final selection list of state CET, the state government decision to give two-month extension to the incumbent Chairman of the Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE) has drawn flak with critics blaming the ruling dispensation of violating service rules to score its vested interests. “We fail to understand the rationale behind the government decision to give two months extension to the existing chairman, Mushtaq Pir. He was also given one-year extension last year. The government is itself violative of service rules, that too, when it is repeatedly raising pitch to discourage contractual and extension system,” a senior government official posted at Civil Secretariat said on the condition of anonymity. The official questioned, “If the government has already identified Pir’s successor, then what forced the government to give two months extension. The repeated extensions to the incumbent had also created a sort of confusion among the aspirants of CET.” In June 20, the state government had re-appointed Pir as chairman of BOPEE for a period of two months on the existing norms and conditions. Pir’s one year extension had expired on June 17. The government had also appointed RD Sharma, Dean, Academic Affairs, University of Jammu, as the new Chairman of BOPEE on deputation for a period of two years with effect from August 18, 2012. Sharma was directed to work as Officer on Special Duty alongside the president chairman, Mushtaq Pir, till the expiry of his term. “The government had extended the term of incumbent chairman for two months just to score its vested interests. Some undeserving candidates have figured in the final selection list while the deserving candidates were left out,” alleged Shambu Nath, the father of a candidate who appeared in the recently held CET. Interestingly, the chairman too had divergent when he was asked about his second extension on separate days. On June 20, Pir had said, “This is second time that I have been given extension by the government. I think two months extension has been given to me due to the forthcoming CET scheduled to be held on June 24.” On July 4, the chairman clarified that the reason for his consecutive extension of his tenure was the upcoming project of conducting the examinations to fill 1,500 vacant seats of patwaris in the state for which fresh graduate students would be selected. “I have been given this extension so that I may over see the examination for the patwari’s post and once that is done I shall retire from my post. There is no other ulterior motive for my extension except for finishing a task given to me by the state government”, he clarified. Despite repeated attempts, Minister for Medical and Technical Education RS Chib was not available for comment on the reasons for giving extension to Prof Mushtaq Pir.
	CET under a cloud Ehsan Fazili Tribune News Service Srinagar, July 4 Even after having qualified the AIEEE with a high percentage recently, this aspiring candidate from Anantnag could not qualify the Common Entrance Test (CET), the results of which were declared here last weekend. Questions are now being raised over the authenticity of CET conducted by the state Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) over the years. Reports of “leak” of question papers have been pouring in even as the fully computerised system does not leave any scope for any mischief. “We have not received any such complaints about the leak of question papers. At present, we are holding counselling sessions for selected candidates,” said Mushtaq Pir, Chairman, BOPEE. “Some people do get answer keys,” said a parent, whose son has already qualified one of these examinations. He admitted that many parents get “late night telephon calls” with offers of answer keys against huge amounts ranging between Rs 20 lakh and 30 lakh. There have been many such cases over the years. This year, a case has been reported from Nanil village, near Anantnag. “One of my friends also got a latenight call last year, but being an honest officer, he denied the offer,” said another parent on the condition of anonymity. A number of students, some of whom have not appeared in the CET, complained of the “sale” of question papers, saying their batch-mates who have been among the toppers had not performed well in their previous examinations up to class XII. “One such student has purchased a question paper for Rs 25 lakh. And it is cheaper than the capitation fee needed for MBBS admission,” said a student.
	Monkey in Jammu hospital ‘Shocked’ Omar seeks explanation Arteev Sharma/TNS Jammu, July 4 The sorry state of affairs of health institutions again figured in the state Cabinet today, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressing “shock” over the presence of a large monkey at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), the largest hospital of the winter capital of the state. The monkey was recently found dozing in the hospital bed for over three hours, while two patients shared a bed in the ward some distance away. Sources said the Chief Minister took cognizance of the presence of a simian in the hospital after a news channel highlighted the incident. “The Chief Minister has sought a detailed report from the health and medical education department and expressed dismay over the pictures of the monkey sleeping in the hospital,” a source said. Another television footage showed dogs in the hospital corridors. The GMCH is being upgraded on the lines of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Omar had earlier tweeted: “I am shocked by the images of the monkey in a Jammu hospital. Before I say anything I owe it to my Minister to first ask him to explain.” The monkey had entered the hospital in search of food and later dozed off in the bed. The television footage also showed a group of dogs roaming in the hospital corridors. A patient had alleged that the hospital looked like a zoo. Reacting to the report, Omar had again written: “As much as I’d like to comment here, I’ll save my thoughts for the Cabinet meeting tomorrow & then say what I have to here.” The incident reportedly took place five days ago. The state has a dubious distinction when it comes to healthcare. The death of hundreds of infants at the GB Pant Hospital in Srinagar had hit the headlines just a few months ago. The Health Ministry had sanctioned a special grant to improve the health infrastructure in the state.
	News Analysis Pak Foreign Secy-separatist meeting A ritual rich with symbolism Arun Joshi Tribune News Service Jammu, July 4 There was nothing new in Pakistan Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani meeting Kashmiri separatists in New Delhi on Tuesday, ahead of his talks with his Indian counterpart on peace and security between the two nations. It was a ritual with high potent of symbolism by way of which both sides - Islamabad and Kashmiri separatists - wanted to demonstrate their respective relevance to the Kashmir situation. While the Pakistan Foreign Secretary can tell back home that “Kashmir was and is the prime point on the agenda of the Indo-Pak talks”, while the separatists can claim that they are relevant somewhere at the diplomatic level, as usual visitors from western nations have dropped them from their list. With Pakistan neither having cash nor confidence and separatists having lost their relevance of the past, such meetings are a morale boosting for each other. The difference between the past and the present is clearly visible. In July 2001, ahead of the Agra summit, hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani had planted an affectionate kiss on the forehead of the then Pakistan President, Gen Pervez Musharraf. He did the same to its Foreign Secretary this time. Geelani had later dubbed Musharraf “insane” because he had ruled out the resolution of the Kashmir issue through UN resolutions, and instead offered a four-point formula to solve the problem. His formula was: irrelevant borders, demilitarisation from both sides of the LoC, self-governance and joint mechanism to oversee the legislative and executive functions of entire Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan had this time sent a message to the separatists to let them revive the issue of UN resolutions, sources said. When Pervez Musharraf had met them on the Indian soil in 2005, the Hurriyat had spilt into two factions, and the two other separatist leaders - Shabir Shah and Yasin Malik - had built castles of their own egos. If separatists were complaining that Pakistan was backing them as it used to in the past, the reply was the same, “first show us signs of your unity, then demand something from us”. In fact, in June 2005, when the Mirwaiz and his group had gone to Pakistan, they had been told to contest elections and show their “popular support” among the masses in the state. During the previous visits of Pakistan foreign ministers or secretaries to India, Kashmiri separatists were the ones who were invited first. Whether it was a coincident or not, two policemen were killed in south Kashmir on Tuesday, around the time when the separatists were holding talks with Jilani by turns in New Delhi. The two were soft targets and the militants made full use of their vulnerability. It was simply a message that militancy and violence had not retreated to backyards.
	Cops’ killing: Police yet to identify culprits Tribune News Service Srinagar, July 4 A day after two policemen were killed in south Kashmir, the state police today said it was trying to identify those involved in the attacks. The police said they had identified the militant group responsible but could not divulge the details due to the ongoing investigations. “We have identified the militant group responsible for the attacks, but are trying to zero in on the persons involved in the killings,” said a police officer. “Soon after the killings in Pulwama and Kulgam, we had launched a hunt to arrest the accused. After technical and intelligence inputs, we also identified the militant group responsible for both attacks.” On Tuesday, militants first struck at Rajpora Chowk in Pulwama town and shot dead a constable, Dalbir Singh, at point-blank range. Hours after the killing, militants shot at constable Mukhtar Ahmad in Yaripora, Kulgam. Ahmad was taken to the district hospital at Kulgam, where he was declared brought dead. No militant outfit has so far claimed responsibility for the attacks. Security was stepped up in Srinagar in the wake of the attacks. Police and security forces have started night patrol to check the activities of suspicious elements.
	Lack of transparency in functioning Malvika Sharma Jammu, July 4 The new state CET format of results declaration caused allegations to crop up hinting at both leak of question papers along with nepotism at play in granting colleges to students based on personal choice. This year, the state CET results were declared wherein the colleges appointed to candidates was not mentioned along with their names and thereby leaving open the choice of college to students who have made it to the merit list this year. With reports coming in of favouritism, nepotism and lack of transparency in the current system, Chairman of the state Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) Mushtaq Pir clarified that the older system was demanding a change since “majority of the students always showed displeasure at being given colleges outside their respective home grounds thereby causing them trouble”. “We had to take that into consideration since a large number of students from Jammu did not want to go to Srinagar colleges and vice versa. The new system will help them choose a college of their choice based on their merit,” he said. He also mentioned that different lists for girls and boys were taken out as usual since the allotment of seats to both was a must according to the state laws. The same process would be applied to aspiring polytechnic students. The BOPEE Chairman clarified that though he had not heard any news of question papers being leaked in Anantnag, it is otherwise next to impossible for anyone to do so. “The question papers come from press and go directly into the treasury located in Srinagar. There officials of the Crime Branch inspect the seal on the envelopes carrying the question papers, which are then put into three steel trunks under three locks. Such stories are false and fabricated and should not be taken seriously”, he added.
	Shooting Incident Govt orders probe amid protest Srinagar, July 4 Local residents observed a shutdown at Handwara in north Kashmir to protest the shooting and injuring of a youth, Bilal Ahmad Magray, allegedly by the Army on Tuesday night. The state government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and registered a case at the Handwara police station. “We have registered a case under Section 307, RPC,” said Handwara SP Choudery Aslam. The Kupwara Deputy Commissioner has also ordered a magisterial inquiry to look into the allegations that soldiers had opened unprovoked firing in Zachaldara, injuring Magrey (22). The protesters assembled in Zachaldara and tried to hold a march towards Handwara town. The police stopped the protesters and assured them of conducting a probe into the incident. The Kupwara DC and the Handwara SP also visited the scene to pacify the protesters. Shops and business establishments remained closed in Zachaldara against the shooting. The residents alleged that the soldiers who were patrolling in Zachaldara on Tuesday evening had opened fired on Magray without provocation, as he was headed home in his car. — TNS
	Governor, CM greet people on Gurpurb Srinagar, July 4 Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have greeted people of the state on the birth anniversary of Guru Hargobind. The Governor hoped that the celebration of this auspicious day would strengthen the bonds of amity, harmony and brotherhood and be a harbinger of peace, progress and prosperity in the state. In his message, the Governor said Guru Hargobind’s noble example of selfless service, based on high values of righteousness, truth and love, was more relevant today than the past. The Governor prayed for the well-being of people of the state. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wished people well being and prosperity. — TNS
	Jamaat-e-Islami wants dress code for tourists Tribune News Service Srinagar, July 4 Jamaat-e-Islami, a prominent politico-religious organisation in Kashmir has asked the tourists visiting the Valley to adopt a “proper dress code” that does not conflict with the religious ethos of local Muslims. The organisation has urged the Department of Tourism to remain vigilant and enforce the dress code on tourists. “Some tourists, mostly foreigners, are seen wandering in short skirts and other objectionable dresses here openly, which is quite against the local ethos and culture and is not acceptable to the civil society at all,” Jamaat-e-Islami said in a statement. Since January, over 5 lakh tourists have visited the Valley
	Cabinet orders transfers Tribune News Service Srinagar, July 4 The state Cabinet today ordered the posting of Dilshada Khan as Director, Panchayati Raj, against a newly created post. The order was approved among other orders of transfers and postings at a Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Abdul Majeed Mir, Additional Commissioner, Kashmir, has been transferred and posted as Custodian General, J&K. Abdul Lateef Deva, Custodian General, J&K, has been transferred and posted as Settlement Commissioner, J&K. Sheetal Nanda has been posted as Additional Secretary, PDD. Mohammad Saleem Sheshgarh, Additional Registrar, Kashmir, has been transferred and posted as Director Horticulture, Kashmir. Besides the confirmation of Navdeep Gupta, in charge, Chief Engineer Planning and Design, Jammu, with effect from April 27, 2011, the Cabinet also approved the placement of in charge, Superintendent Engineers, Malik Mansoor Willayat and Prithpal Singh as in charge, Chief Engineers. It also approved the promotion of Sham Vinod Meena in the senior time scale.
	Belgian assn chief meets Governor Srinagar, July 4 Paul Beersman, president, Belgian Association for Solidarity with Jammu and Kashmir, met Governor NN Vohra here today. Beersman informed the Governor that after his arrival in the Valley about a week ago, he had meetings with persons and parties of varied convictions in across the Valley. He said after completing his work in Kashmir, he would be visiting Kargil and Leh districts for similar meetings and discussions. — TNS