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Three militants killed in encounter near LoC
Sarpanches slam govt over panchayat empowerment
Stakeholders reserve comments on Jamaat’s dress diktat for tourists
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Sometimes, best reaction is no reaction: Omar
Chief Minister mocks PDP protests
Baig flays NC for creating divide
Unmarked Grave
6 more witnesses depose before judicial panel
Bhaderwah Triple Murder
Communal clash averted in Bhaderwah
Pandits react sharply to Geelani’s remarks
57 villages electrified
in Rajouri
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Three militants killed in encounter near LoC
Srinagar, July 5 The Army said a movement of four militants was noticed last night at Mankal forests in Nowgam sector of Kupwara district. The Army kept a close watch on the movement of militants throughout the night. Around 6 am today, the first contact was established with the militants and they were asked to surrender. “They opened fire which was retaliated and a fierce encounter started,” said an Army officer of 19 Infantry Division, which guards the LoC in Nowgam sector. “So far three militants have been killed and the operation is still on.” The Army has recovered one global positioning system (GPS) from the slain militants. “Militants have learnt techniques to track routes on maps by using the GPS. Now militant groups that sneak into Kashmir from the other side of the LoC carry the GPS,” the Army officer said. Giving details of the Nowgam encounter, the defence spokesperson in Srinagar, Lt Col J S Brar, said the three militants were killed in a joint operation by the Army and the J&K police. “Based on specific information about the presence of terrorists in the Mankal forest area, a joint operation was launched at 6 am. In the ensuing encounter, three unidentified terrorists, likely to be foreigners, have been killed. The identity of the slain terrorists is being ascertained,” Lt Col Brar said. The search operation was in progress, he added. The Army and the police have cordoned the adjoining forests and are searching for more militants. The Army also recovered arms and ammunition from the encounter site. “Three AK rifles, one pistol, one under barrel grenade launcher, Rs 20,000 in Indian currency, two compasses, one GPS, one radio set, one mobile phone, map sheets and a large quantity of ammunition, including grenades, have been recovered,” the defence spokesperson said. The police said it was investigating whether it was a fresh group of militants that had infiltrated into the Valley or it was one of the groups that had entered the Valley a fortnight ago. The police in north Kashmir had recently informed the government that 14 to 18 militants had infiltrated into the Valley from Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipore districts. Most of the infiltration takes place during these months every year following melting down of snow along the high mountains through which the LoC passes. The Army had last month said that 400 to 500 militants were waiting to enter the Valley. There has also been a slight increase in the number of militancy-related incidents in the Valley since last month. These include killing of cops and an Army man, grenade explosions and an attack on CRPF men. Terror Trail
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Sarpanches slam govt over panchayat empowerment
Jammu, July 5 “The proposed move to hold elections to four seats of MLCs is politically motivated as it is aimed at accommodating their favourites in the state legislature. The government should focus on completing the three-tier system of the panchayati raj institutions and constitute BDCs and district development and planning boards prior to the MLC elections,” said Kulbhushan Khajuria, president of All J&K Panchayat Coordination Committee. Khajuria said the constitution of BDCs was the second phase of the three-tier system while the election to four seats of MLCs through elected representatives of the panchayats was the fourth phase. He warned that more than 34,000 sarpanches and panches would boycott the elections to MLC seats if the government made any attempt to hold these elections before the constitution of BDCs and district development and planning boards. He blamed the government “for creating confusion among common masses by raising a bogey of false slogans on empowerment of the panchayats” questioned the “cryptic silence” of the MLAs and MLCs on empowering the rural local bodies. “The members of the legislative assembly and the legislative council have maintained silence on the issue. We appeal them to clear their position on empowerment of sarpanches and panches who are the real representatives of the people at the grassroots level,” he said. Khajuria alleged the government had rendered the panchayati raj institutions defunct by denying sarpanches and panches their constitutional powers. “Over a year has lapsed since but the cabinet ministers and bureaucrats have resorted to false statements only,” he added. He pointed out the MLAs with sincere and honest approach could force the government to bring a special ordinance for the implementation of the 73rd Amendment. DEMANDS RAISED
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Sometimes, best reaction is no reaction: Omar Jammu, July 5 While responding to a question, the Chief Minister wrote on micro-blogging site, Twitter, “Sometimes the best reaction is no reaction.” One of his followers on Twitter had asked, “How come no reaction to Jamaat’s dress code diktat?” Yesterday, Jamaat had issued a statement that some tourists, mostly foreigners, were seen wandering wearing miniskirts in Kashmir which was against the local ethos and culture which, it said, was not acceptable to the civil society. Jammat’s diktat also drew sharp reaction from various quarters. This came at a time when Kashmir is swarmed by around six lakh tourists. A fortnight back, the Chief Minister had said that tourists on a visit to Kashmir should be ‘suitably dressed’ and disallowed entry during prayer time at the revered Hazratbal shrine located on the banks of Dal Lake. Omar had made the comment while responding to a tweet from a local who had complained that many non-Muslim tourists were seen “running over prayer rugs” at the Hazratbal shrine. After the complaint, the Chief Minister also raised the issue with the Wakf Board which looks after the shrine. |
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Stakeholders reserve comments on Jamaat’s dress diktat for tourists
Srinagar, June 5 While the Jamaat’s suggestion has apparently not gone well with the people associated with the sector, the hoteliers and traders’ bodies refrained from issuing statements. “It is a sensitive matter. We will comment on it after our meeting scheduled on Saturday,” said Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHARA) president Showkat Chowdhary. Former KHARA president and general secretary of the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) Siraj Ahmad too refrained from commenting on behalf of the association. However, he further said: “The KEA has not discussed the matter yet but on a personal level, I think they (Jamaat) should have taken the stakeholders into confidence before issuing any statement.” A senior Tourism Department official on condition of anonymity said his department was not a law-enforcing agency and it had no role in implementing the dress code. The Jamaat had urged the Department of Tourism to remain vigilant and enforce the dress code on tourists. The official said the department would not be issuing a statement on the matter. “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 spokesman Zahid Ali had said yesterday. However, on ground, people associated with the sector objected to the statement. “It is the prerogative of the visitors. We cannot force them to dress in a certain way. But I must admit that most of the foreign tourists are usually sensitive to the local sentiments,” said a houseboat owner. Jamaat chief feigns ignorance Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sheikh Mohammad Hassan, apparently distancing himself from the statement of his spokesman, on Thursday claimed he was unaware of the “development”. “I am on leave due to personal engagements at home. I do not know about the statement. It must have come from the spokesman,” the Jamaat-e-Islami chief told The Tribune. When asked whether or not he was consulted before the statement was issued, he said: “I am very busy with affairs at home — I have not even read the newspaper but the issue is being blown out of proportion.” |
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PDP’s sole aim to grab power: Omar
Srinagar, July 5 Omar said this while addressing a gathering at Bijbehara in Anantnag district. “Political gimmickry and falsehood to create drama is the trait of the PDP and its leadership but they are now exposed before the general public. The PDP lost no occasion to put the state on fire, hatch conspiracy to dislodge the government and mislead people to create law and order situation. This party is always in search of chances to take advantage to disturb peace, hamper development and shift blame to the National Conference and the coalition government in the state,” he added. Omar said that “grabbing power” was the sole aim of the opposition party. Drawing comparison between his government and the PDP, Omar said the opposition party had “sold dreams to people but his government firmly addressed the cherished desire of people on both political and development fronts”. He said the “healing touch” slogan raised by the PDP regime proved to be a mere hoax to befool the people. “Your healing touch proved to be killing touch for the people,” he added. Omar said his government was committed to equitable development of all the regions and sub-regions of the state. Yesterday, the opposition party had held statewide demonstrations against the “inefficient governance” of the ruling National Conference party. |
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Chief Minister mocks PDP protests
Srinagar, July 5 “Well done PDP. If your ‘protests’ were meant to scare us then
brrrrrrrr, we are terrified,” Omar said on the micro-blogging website, Twitter. The PDP had taken out large-scale demonstrations against “inefficient governance” while president of the opposition party Mehbooba Mufti during a rally in south Kashmir’s Shopian district had remarked: “Misgovernance, corruption, hollow slogans and uneasy calm define the government led by Omar Abdullah.” While some followers of Omar’s Twitter account appreciated his “sense of
humour”, others hit back at the Chief Minister. “Jiske sar pe Congress ka hath ho usse kya dar rrrrrrrrrrrrr (A person having the backing of Congress has nothing to fear),” said Sheikh Irfan as the Omar-led coalition government in the past has been accused by many of “surviving” because of the Centre’s support. On Omar’s frequent tweeting, another follower remarked that was the Chief Minister “just a part-time CM and a full-time
Twitterer?” “Fortunately, unlike some here, I'm not a full-time twit,” replied Omar. |
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Baig flays NC for creating divide
Srinagar, July 5 Baig said this while addressing a gathering in Budgam district of central Kashmir. “The NC struck bonds of friendship with whosoever ruled Delhi but used brutal methods to crush opposition at home. Youth were the worst victims of this duplicity and many generations of Kashmiris had suffered as a result,” he added. He claimed it was a pleasant development that the people, particularly youth of the state, had started “getting impressed” with the PDP agenda. He said, “Self-rule is a document of hope and it is natural that the youth who have been the worst victims of conflict strike an easy bond with our agenda.” He said the development works under the state and central sectors were the victims of government lethargy and corruption. “Works are being taken up by contractors close to the government and its ministers. There is no development strategy as was pointed out by the Planning Commission of India. The Annual Plan is still to be finalised. Plan funds are utilised by the CM almost as his secret fund to please his favourites. ERA schemes have become a source of trouble rather than relief. Half of Jammu and Srinagar roads have been dug up for three years now,” Baig added. |
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Unmarked Grave
Srinagar, July 5 The directions to remove the body buried in an unmarked grave in Kalaroos village of Kupwara were issued to the District Magistrate, Kupwara, by the Commission. The body was buried there in July 2003 and the Commission has ordered a DNA test to ascertain whether the body is that of 14-year-old Mohammad Yousuf of Inderbugh Lolab in Kupwara district. This is the first time the SHRC has issued directions for the exhumation in the last two decades. Ghulam Mohammad, the father of the 14-year- old missing boy, had filed a complaint in Lalpur police station in Kupwara alleging that his son was kidnapped along with two of his two friends in July 2003 by the Army. “My son’s two friends escaped, but he was killed in custody,” Ghulam Mohammad alleged. A case was later registered by police. The father came to know that a young boy was buried in Kalaroos, and the security forces had claimed that the boy was a militant who was killed in an encounter. When Ghulam contacted the local mosque committee which had buried the boy, he identified the belongings of his missing son. The police in its report to the SHRC had stated that the missing boy had crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 2003 for arms training and was still there. The SHRC directions said if the victim’s DNA matched with the parents or relatives, the state government should pay ex gratia to the next of kin. “The police should also reopen the missing case and take it to the logical conclusion so that the guilty are taken to task,” the Commission said in its judgment. The state government has stated that there are 2,683 FIRs registered about unidentified bodies in unmarked graves in three districts of north Kashmir. Last year, the SHRC had put the number of unmarked graves in border districts of the Valley at 2,156. A few days ago, the J&K Government had disclosed that there were 2,080 more unmarked graves in Poonch and Rajouri districts of the Jammu region. However, the government claimed that these graves were those of foreign militants killed during encounters. The families of the missing persons have been demanding an in-depth investigation to find out the identity of the buried. The Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons, whose relatives have disappeared since 1990, claims that more than 7,000 people are missing in the Valley. The government, however, claims that only 1,300 persons have gone missing in the state during the past 20 years. Case of missing teenager
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6 more witnesses depose before judicial panel
Srinagar, July 5 Those cross-examined today included a deputy superintendent of police who was the private secretary of former Inspector General Police (Crime) Raja Ajaz Ali, a doctor and four employees of the health department. Counsel to deceased Yousuf’s family, Mushtaq Ahmed, said the head of the forensic sciences, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Fareeda Noor also presented her forensic opinion suggesting that Yousuf had died of cardiac arrest. Advocate Ahmed had submitted a list of 14 witnesses in April, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, his political advisor Devender Rana and Minister of State (MoS), Home, Nasir Aslam Wani to be summoned for the cross-examination but the Commission declined the plea to summon Omar Abdullah and his aides. Justice (Retd) HS Bedi allowed summoning of 10 witnesses, including the then IGP Crime and the doctor who had conducted Yousuf's postmortem. With the cross examination of six more witnesses today, the counsel of Yousuf has completed questioning of the all ten persons. The case is listed for hearing on July 24. |
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Bhaderwah Triple Murder
Srinagar, July 5 The role of former Director-General of the Jammu and Kashmir police Kuldeep Khoda, whose name has been recommended by a government panel for the post of Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), is under the scanner in the triple murder case. The High Court had on May 29 dismissed a petition against Khoda for his alleged role in the triple murder case. “In the interests of transparency, fair trial and rules of natural justice, we direct that a copy of the communication be provided to the complainants,” a double bench of the SHRC said after hearing arguments in the case. The crime branch had submitted a one-page report related to the 1996 Bhaderwah triple murder case on June 25 and the prosecution had requested the SHRC “to treat the report as privileged”. “We have gone through the communication regarding which privilege was claimed by the Chief Prosecuting Officer. However, we are of the considered opinion that the document is not in any manner a classified one carrying any vital information which may hamper in any way the security of the state or any person involved in the same. |
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Communal clash averted in Bhaderwah
Batote, July 5 “Both the parties were at fault having encroached each other’s land. While constructing the boundary wall of the religious place, its caretakers had encroached a small portion of one of the neighbours of the other community and the latter had encroached some portion of the land of religious place by constructing a verandah and a temporary shed over it,” said Doda DC FA Khan. “After the revenue officers measured the disputed land today morning, both the parties were found at fault and were brought to reconciliation . Some mischievous elements trying to provoke both the parties have been identified and will be prosecuted,” he said. Sources said it all started last evening when some members of the majority community began demolishing a structure (verandah) constructed by a person from the minority community on the encroached land of a religious place. After retaliation by the owner and his other community members, the tension had gripped the area following which the members of both parties resorted to stone pelting. — TNS |
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Pandits react sharply to Geelani’s remarks
Jammu, July 5 Soon after the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley, various Kashmiri Pandit organisations have been demanding homeland for the community so that it could get a safe place to live in. After the announcement of the Prime Minister’s package in 2008, nearly 1,400 youth have returned to the Valley for jobs and are living in colonies made for them at different places. After the state government sent a proposal to the Centre to revise the package for the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits and enhance the financial assistance for their return from Rs 7.5 lakh per family to Rs 20 lakh per family, hope had surfaced for the Pandits. Panun Kashmir said opposing the settlement of the Pandits in any part of the Valley had revealed the real face of separatist leaders who were responsible for the “religious cleansing of the Pandits in 1989-1990”. HL Chatta, general secretary, All-State Kashmiri Pandit Conference, said, “Kashmir is nobody’s property and why should he dictate the terms for our return. Kashmir is our motherland and we will return on our own terms.” — TNS |
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57 villages electrified
in Rajouri
Rajouri, July 5 The officials informed the meeting that till date 57 villages had been electrified under the scheme, covering 260 habitations with an installation of 260 distribution transformers, 318.22 km HT and 181.54-km LT lines. Besides, 6,861 HT poles and 5,051 LT poles had also been erected during the period. The meeting deliberated upon various issues related to looting of poles by villagers, inspection and charging of transformers and payments. It was decided that the district police will deal cases of stealing of poles and hijacking of transformers by villagers with a stern hand.
— OC
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Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has mocked at the state-wide anti-corruption demonstrations that were taken out by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) yesterday.