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30,752 assault rifles seized since 1990
Mufti assails govt for road project delays
Omar now pins hopes on Foreign Ministers’ talks
Dress code row media’s creation: Omar
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Clashes after youth’s death in Andhra; SHO hurt
Israeli Tourist Row
Sikhs resent politicisation of religious event
Search operation on in Handwara
Traders allege bias at hands of Customs Dept
Starlet Case
BJP agitation fails to garner public support
Rebel MLAs snub MP during meeting
New healthcare scheme for policemen on cards
Surankote-Bafliaz road stretch a shambles
BRO chief calls on Governor
Two bovine smugglers held in Batote
Need to automate libraries, says VC Qureshi
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30,752 assault rifles seized since 1990
Srinagar, July 7 The official figures submitted by the State Home Department to the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) have revealed that the security forces have further seized 11,431 pistols and revolvers, 1,027 UMGs, 2,262 rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 2,830 rocket boosters, 391 sniper rifles, 79 carbines, 219 light machine guns and self-loading rifles, and 295 303 rifles during the two decades of militancy. “The arms and ammunition recovered in J&K since 1990 can suffice two divisions of the Army,” said a senior Army officer. The figures also disclose that over 45,000-kg explosives, including RDX, were recovered. The forces also recovered 63,335 grenades from various parts of the state. The recoveries, the J&K government claims, establishes the fact that the state has been facing nothing short of a full-scale war since 1990. “The recovery of such a huge haul of weapons from the possession of terrorists is ample evidence to establish that the state has been facing nothing short of a full-scale war by terrorists at the behest of their mentors from across the border,” the report submitted to the SHRC by the Under Secretary, Home Department, says. The Home Department report also puts the death count during the turmoil at 43,746, including 16,901 civilians. The figures reveal that 21,449 militants, 16,901 civilians and 5,396 security personnel were killed during the turmoil. “Of the 5,396 security men killed, 3,866 were paramilitary troops and security forces, 922 police personnel, 477 special police officers and 131 village defence committee members,” the report revealed. The report added that 21,655 militants were arrested since 1990, taking the combined figure of militants active in the state to over 43,000. |
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Mufti assails govt for road project delays
Srinagar, July 7 In his address during a public meeting at Shopian today, Mufti described the state of affairs as “worse than paralysis” and said all sectors of development had come to a standstill. “The prestigious Mughal Road, too, has been a victim of governance paralysis, resulting in a delay in its completion,” he added. Mufti said it was startling to see funds worth Rs 268 crore, meant for the new artery of growth, development and social integration, being reportedly surrendered in previous years. “Even the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has pointed it out in a report and the Government of India reportedly withheld further funding due to the state’s inability to spend,” he said. Instead of completing the highway on time and securing funds for the construction of a tunnel to make it an all-weather facility, the government had virtually subverted the project. Mufti said connecting people of all regions was a crucial part of the PDP vision
for the state. The inclusion of the Kishtwar-Simthan-Anantnag road, the construction of a tunnel across the Zojilla and the extension of the North-South corridor up to Srinagar were all part of the same vision that was unfolded after 2002, with a positive and generous response by the Government of India, he said. The inability of the state government to push these projects on priority had resulted in their delay. “The Prime Minister’s special package announced in 2004 for a period of five years has not been implemented fully in spite of several extensions,” he added. Mufti said these road projects had remained burried for decades, thereby impeding the growth and development of the state, but the PDP started these projects with the help of the Centre and multilateral funding from institutions like the Asian Development Bank. Senior leaders Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Tariq Hameed Karra and other party legislators and leaders were also present. |
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Omar now pins hopes on Foreign Ministers’ talks
Jammu, July 7 He hoped that the forthcoming meeting between the Foreign Ministers of both countries would yield encouraging results.
He was interacting with mediapersons after inspecting development works in Jammu city. Omar Abdullah said talks between the two neighbouring countries should continue at all costs, as dialogue was the only means to solving key problems. “Talks should continue. No solution is possible without talks. But if the talks are held just for the sake of talks, there is no benefit. There are several issues between India and Pakistan that should be resolved through dialogue,” he observed. “We are of the firm opinion that dialogue between both countries must continue to improve the relations,” he added. While listing some issues that could be resolved through dialogue, the Chief Minister emphasised the need for easing visa regime. “The process of issuing long-term visa should also be started between both countries,” he asserted. He stressed the need for taking concrete steps to facilitate the cross-LoC trade between India and Pakistan. Cross-LoC traders have been facing a lot of hardship due to the non-availability of requisite facilities. “Issues like Sir Creek and Siachen can also be resolved through dialogue,” he added. “The ongoing dialogue process between the two countries is good. Our Foreign Minister is going to Pakistan, possibly in September. We hope he will be able to resolve some of these issues during the talks,” he hoped. External Affairs Minister SM Krishna is slated to visit Pakistan in September this year.
Dress code row media’s creation: Omar
JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today tried to downplay the dress code diktat issued to tourists by fundamentalist group Jamaat-e-Islami, Kashmir. Interacting with mediapersons, Omar Abdullah said there was nothing like dress code diktat. “It is all media’s creation. No such thing exists on the ground,” he said. “I appeal to the media not to rake up such issues for publicity,” he said. On reports of the presence of monkeys in wards of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), the Chief Minister said the Cabinet had taken a serious note of the issue. “Minister for Health and Medical Education RS Chib has been asked to look into the matter and take action against those responsible for it,” he added. —
TNS |
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Clashes after youth’s death in Andhra; SHO hurt
Srinagar, July 7 An SHO was injured in the clashes that took place between the police and a group of protesters in Narbal on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway. The police said as the news about Soozath resident Mohammad Ashraf Bhat’s mysterious death spread, youngsters and family members marched towards the Srinagar-Baramulla highway and blocked traffic for two hours. The protesters alleged that Bhat had been murdered in Andhra Pradesh. They demanded a high-level probe into the death, besides the airlifting of the body to the state. The police officers asked the protesters to disperse from the highway, but they refused to do so. “The protesters pelted the police with stones. This prompted the police to fire several rounds of tear smoke shells to chase away the protesters. The protesters kept regrouping and attacking the police for over an hour,” a source said. A police spokesperson said the Parimpora SHO was injured in the clashes. “Exercising restraint, the police used mild force to open the highway,” he said. A large contingent of police and CRPF was deployed on the highway after the clashes. The highway was reopened to vehicular traffic in the afternoon. The police said Ashraf Bhat, son of Ghulam Ahmad, had reportedly gone to New Delhi, but later moved to Chennai in search of a job. “He was reportedly unwell and was returning home by the Andaman Express. His body was spotted by some passengers, who informed the railway police at Ram Gundam police outpost, under the jurisdiction of the Kazipet police station in Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh. The state police authorities are in touch with the police/railway police authorities in Karimnagar,” the spokesman said. |
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Israeli Tourist Row
Srinagar, July 7 “We have always treated all tourists, including foreigners and yatris, as guests and welcomed them with open hearts. But repeated attempts to bring Israeli tourists here through a planned conspiracy is a matter of grave concern,” Mirwaiz said, while addressing a gathering before Friday prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid here. Claiming that a delegation of the state government was currently on a visit to Israel, he said: “This has raised doubts…. Israel is an enemy of the Muslims and most Israelis are associated with Mossad…. The government should clear its position.” Geelani had alleged that the Centre had hatched a “deep conspiracy” whereby it intended to settle non-state subjects in Kashmir in the garb of setting up colonies for the Kashmiri Pandits. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already rubbished the charges. “Glad to see SASG’s (Syed Ali Shah Geelani) imagination and ability to create fiction has not dulled with age,” Omar had tweeted after Geelani’s allegation. Mirwaiz said his party did not want to “play politics” over the recent gutting of Pir Dastageer Sahib shrine in the Khanyar area of the city. He asked the government to form a fact-finding committee, comprising civil society members and caretakers of the shrine, before initiating its reconstruction process. Mirwaiz said any dialogue process between India and Pakistan would prove fruitful only through the involvement of the people of the state. While referring to the recent Indo-Pak Foreign Secretary-level talks, he said the decision of continuing talks on the Kashmir issue was a positive development. Mirwaiz also called for a shutdown on July 13 on the Martyrs’ Day.
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Sikhs resent politicisation of religious event
Srinagar, July 7 Members of the community belonging to various organisations criticised the politicisation of the event, said Jagmohan Singh Raina, chairman, All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC). “The Sikh devotees went to Gurdwara Chhattipadshahi to celebrate the auspicious occasion and listen to religious hymns. But it turned into a political gathering, where Sikh devotees were subjected to harassment by the Chief Minister’s security staff,” he said. For the first time in 20 years, women and children were frisked at the
gurdwara. |
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Search operation on in Handwara
Srinagar, July 7 “The Army continues to conduct searches in Nowgam forests after the killing of three militants on Thursday,” said Maj Gen Bipin Rawat, GOC, 19 Infantry Division. The troops of 19 Infantry Division guard the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowgam sector of north Kashmir. The identity of the three militants killed in Nowgam close to the LoC, is yet to be established. Like Nowgam, the search operation continued in the vicinity of Bawan Rajwar in Kupwara district where an encounter had begun on Thursday evening which left one militant dead and three Army men and a policeman injured. “The search in Bawan Rajwar village continued today,” said Handwara Superintendent of Police Choudery Aslam. The first encounter in the area erupted on Sunday in which a militant was gunned down in Zachaldara forest. The search operation was later extended to other areas and the Army troops from various battalions were engaged in the operation. Sources said the Rajwar area where an encounter took place on Friday is mostly used by infiltrators as a transit hideout after sneaking into the Valley. The search operations in Nowgam and Rajwar would continue in the coming days as more militants could be hiding there, sources said. |
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Traders allege bias at hands of Customs Dept
Poonch, July 7 The issue surfaced when the Customs Department seized almond consignment routed through Chakan-da-Bagh in Jammu division for the third consecutive day saying that the imported almond was from California and not PoK. Sources said the consignments of the same variety of almond imported from PoK by traders of Salamabad Uri in the Valley were released immediately after some local traders from Uri claimed the almond was a PoK product. President, Cross-LoC Traders Association, Pawan Anand, alleged there was some nexus between the Punjab-based traders and officials of the Customs Department who were sabotaging Poonch-Rawlakote trade giving one or the other reason. “Some Punjab-based traders wanted to hire agents from Poonch so that trade could be started from here but we did not allow them. Now with the help of Customs officials, they are trying to sabotage Poonch-Rawlakote trade,” Anand claimed. “More than 11 trucks carrying almonds have been released from Salamabad while not even a single consignment has been released from here,” Anand contended. Traders said the Union Home Secretary on his visit to Poonch had categorically directed the authorities concerned here to treat Chakan-da-Bagh at par with Salamabad but the local Customs officials were trying to discourage the traders here on one pretext or the other. When contacted, Trade Facilitation Officer (TFO), Customs Department, Rajan Joshi said, “We have received a letter from the higher authorities that the imported almond was not produced in PoK but was from California. We have sent samples to SKUAST-J for testing. As of now, we have impounded 12 trucks of imported almond.” When asked, why imported almond consignments were being released at Salamabad, the official did not comment. |
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Starlet Case
Jammu, July 7 The Mumbai police took Tak’s custody after completing the legal formalities in the presence of District Munsif Court, Kishtwar. The J&K Police had arrested Tak on June 21 this year from Kishtwar. He had claimed that Laila and her four family members had been killed by him and four others. But the agencies suspected his statements to be contradictory. Garib Dass, DIG, Doda-Ramban range, said Tak had been handed over to the Mumbai Crime Branch. “Now the Mumbai police will carry the further investigation and in case they need our assistance, we will extend full cooperation. We will remain in touch with them,” he added. Investigating agencies are yet to ascertain whether Laila Khan is dead or alive, as Tak, who happens to be Laila’s step father, has been constantly changing his statements. On Thursday, Tak had claimed that Laila, her mother Saleena Patel, sister Azimna Patel, siblings Zara and Imran and a relative Reshma Khan had been shot dead and their bodies buried outside Mumbai. He had also claimed the involvement of Asif Shaikh, a Bollywood financier and the second husband of Laila’s mother Saleena. Shaikh was detained in Bangalore on Friday.
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BJP agitation fails to garner public support
Jammu, July 7 Insiders in the BJP said the party leadership found it difficult to mobilise public support for their programme because the image of the party had been damaged after the cross-voting episode of 2011 in which seven BJP MLAs had voted against the party during the Legislative Council elections. While the party high command had expelled the seven MLAs, including veteran leader Chaman Lal Gupta, party supporters felt the leaders had betrayed them and played with their emotions. Party supporters, especially those with RSS background, were of the opinion that not only the seven MLAs but the entire state unit of party was responsible for the cross-voting episode. The supporters also felt that the decision to expel the seven legislators without authentic evidence was hasty. With the aim of “improving” its image, the BJP leadership in a haphazard manner had expelled seven legislators from the party with the hope that all seven would lose their membership of the Assembly. But this decision of the party has so far proved disastrous, as a large number of BJP supporters have left the party and joined the rebel camp. Also, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Mohammad Akbar Lone had refused to disqualify the seven MLAs expelled from the BJP and announced on the floor of the House that he (Speaker) considered the seven MLAs as members of the BJP in the House. The expelled MLAs have launched a campaign in their respective areas and have been projecting themselves as victims of BJP infighting. These MLAs had been claiming that they had been expelled from the party only to protect the real culprits who, according to them, had struck a deal with the government during the Legislative Council elections. |
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Rebel MLAs snub MP during meeting
Jammu, July 7 The enraged MLAs threatened to boycott the meeting but were later pacified by the officials present. The three MLAs, who entered into a verbal duel with the Lok Sabha member, had been expelled from the party six months ago but the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Mohammad Akbar Lone had said on the floor of the House that he treated them as BJP members. Sources said when the rebel BJP MLA from Basholi, Jagdish Raj Sapolia, was discussing development projects for his constituency, Choudhary Lal Singh intervened. This infuriated Sapolia who shouted at the Lok Sabha member. The other two MLAs, Master Lal Chand from Bano constituency and Durga Dass from Hiranagar constituency, joined him. The officials present at the meeting intervened and pacified the MLAs. “The conduct of the Lok Sabha member was not proper. This is not the first time that he has acted like this. He tends to act like a dictator in every meeting,” Sapolia claimed while talking to The Tribune. Later during a meeting under the chairmanship of Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora, annual plan worth Rs 9,889.84 lakh for Kathua district was approved for this financial year. The plan included Rs 5,610.92 lakh as capital component and Rs 4,278.92 lakh as revenue component. |
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New healthcare scheme for policemen on cards
Srinagar, July 7 The DGP underlined the need for having a full-fledged healthcare scheme to benefit police personnel and their families. He said the scheme would be run under the JKP Welfare Trust registered under the Trust Act. All personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir Police will be covered under the scheme. Rajendra said the aim was to provide inpatient and outpatient medical care for notified ailments to the members of the police and their families. “Initially, corpus money will be generated by securing a loan from the Police Parivar Fund and all members of the force will contribute at different rates on a monthly basis towards the trust. Cashless treatment will be provided to the members and their families in network hospitals recognised by the state government under the Civil Services, Medical Attendance-cum-Allowance Rules,” he said. “The benefit of the scheme may be extended to the widows and minor children of the police personnel who have died in harness.” ADGP (Headquarters) SP Vaid, who has been instrumental in formulating the proposed scheme, said the scheme was operational in various police forces across the country and had provided a financial support to its members and their families in incurring costs of treatment. “After going through these schemes and making a nationwide survey, it was felt that the scheme could provide support to the personnel of the state police and their families. The scheme is under discussion and suggestions have been sought from different corners to make it more beneficial and result-oriented. The proposed trust will have 11 trustees, including a permanent trustee. The trust will function under the overall supervision of the DGP, a permanent trustee and ex officio chairman, assisted by the ADGP (Headquarter) as ex officio and vice-chairman of the trust. The AIG (Welfare), Police Headquarters, will be the chairperson of the trust and other trustees will be nominated for a term of two years.” RS Sambyal, AIG (Welfare), Police Headquarters, gave a PowerPoint presentation, highlighting the aspects of the scheme in force in various states of the country. |
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Surankote-Bafliaz road stretch a shambles
Poonch, July 7 This is despite the fact that there is a budget of Rs 650 crore for the alternate way on Mughal Road connecting Jammu with the Valley. The residents of Draba, Bafliaz and other adjoining villages are up in arms against the authorities for the poor condition of this 14-km stretch. Over 50,000 commuters travel on this route every day. For thousands of people visiting tourist spots like Noori Chham, Pir Ki Gali, Behram Gala and Seven Lakes every month, the poor condition of this stretch has been a dampener. The condition becomes worse especially during morning hours when overloaded jeeps and Matadors carrying passengers to Mughal Road ply on the stretch. The residents have been complaining against the Roads and Buildings (R&B) department for failing to provide better roads around these villages but to no avail. “The main road which connects Surankote with Mughal Road is in a shambles. The road is dotted with potholes and is causing tremendous hardships to commuters,” said Ashok Vaid, a local resident. Some transporters complained that their vehicles sustain extensive damages while plying on the stretch due to which their annual maintenance costs have increased manifold. Not only this, the cases of commuters suffering from backaches and other orthopedic disorders are on an all time high. The locals said the road has not been repaired for years. They have sought the intervention of the Chief Engineer, R&B, in this regard. Rajesh Bakshi, a local NC leader, told the Tribune that a delegation of locals met Devinder Singh Rana, Political Adviser to the Chief Minister, on the issue who had assured action but nothing concrete has been done so for. “We are going to meet the Chief Minister for his personal intervention,” Bakshi added. Meanwhile, the villagers threatened to block the Poonch-Mughal Road if the condition of the stretch is not improved soon. When contacted, R&B Division Engineer Poonch, Abdhullah said, “The Road is under GREFF but a proposal to make it double lane has been sent for approval. After the formal approval, its widening and construction work will be started.” RESIDENTS UP IN ARMS
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BRO chief calls on Governor
Srinagar, July 7 During the meeting, Ravishankar briefed the Governor about the status of construction and maintenance of various road projects being executed by the Border Roads Organisation to provide connectivity to the far-flung areas in the state. The Governor stressed on the importance of various road building projects being completed within the stipulated time as delays cause enormous problems for the inhabitants of the areas concerned. They also discussed issues relating to improvement of traffic flows on roads leading to the entry points of the two routes to the Amarnath Yatra. Navin K Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the SASB and Brig TPS Rawat, Chief Engineer, Project Beacon, were present during the meeting. |
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Two bovine smugglers held in Batote
Batote, July 7 In the first case, a Kashmir-bound vehicle loaded with fine bovines was intercepted on the highway near Kunfer Nallah in Chanderkot by the police. Vehicle driver Mushtaq Ahmed of Roun Domail in Udhampur was arrested and a case under Section 188 of the RPC was registered in this regard. In another incident, seven bovines were off-loaded from a Kashmir-bound vehicle and its driver Mushtaq Ahmed Gujjar of Sidhra, Jammu was arrested by the police on the highway at Ramsoo. A case under Section 188 of the RPC, Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act was registered. |
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Need to automate libraries, says VC Qureshi
Srinagar, July 7 “The libraries in all the universities and educational institutions in the state should switch over to automation for the benefit of the people, particularly the students. Researchers and candidates aspiring to participate in various competitive examinations will also benefit from this,” the Vice-Chancellor said. The V-C inaugurated the one-day workshop on library automation organised by the Department of Information Technology, CUK in collaboration with National Informatics Centre (NIC) on the varsity campus. Wahid described libraries as the cornerstone of educational institutions. The Vice-Chancellor said the information technology had an impact on every sphere of life. “Automation has overall improved the library system. But the use of internet has made physical presence in the libraries dispensable. Those having access to books and other information through internet will not visit the library physically and therefore they will be bereft of the culture and discipline in the physical libraries,” he said adding that wonderful ideas have emanated from the reading rooms of the libraries. The V-C hoped the workshop would create awareness among the participants about the merits of automation in libraries and other related issues.aRam Kumar Matoria, Technical Director, Library and Information Services, NIC, New Delhi, said as many as 54,000 public libraries were functioning across the country. “Out of these, only 10 per cent are fully automated and the other 10 per cent are partially automated,” Matoria said. Matoria said that 2,500 libraries across the country were using e-Granthalaya (automation) software designed by the NIC. |
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PDP patron and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has expressed concern over the alleged failure of the government in carrying forward the road projects initiated during the previous coalition.
Days after hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani alleged that the government was “conspiring” with Israeli intelligence agency Mossad to “change” the demography of the state, chairman of the moderate Hurriyat faction Mirwaiz Umar Farooq yesterday urged the authorities to clear its stand.
The search operation in Handwara of north Kashmir continued for the seventh day today. Five militants have been killed in three encounters in the past one week here.
The Army and police continued to carry out search operations in the Nowgam, Zachaldara and Rajwar areas to look for other militants who, they suspected, had managed to escape during the three encounters in the past one week.
Srinagar, July 7
Since 1990, the security forces have also seized over 45 lakh bullets of various assault rifles, such as AK-47/56/74, pistols and revolvers, universal machine guns (UMGs), sniper and .303 rifles.
