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Renewed terror activity across LoC poses fresh threat
Dormant tectonic activity in state baffles geologists
Presidential
Poll
Major boost for Kashmiri handicraft exports
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MGNREGA labourers to approach PM over wages
Death toll rises to 78
Parnai hydroelectric project under cloud
J&K to get back properties in other states
Sikhs demand ban on Nayar's book
Education
Board Secretary
Fake
Appointment Racket
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Renewed terror activity across LoC poses fresh threat
Jammu, July 14 Intelligence agencies have been sharing vital information with the security forces, apprising them of the hectic activity in the Tatapani area of PoK, opposite Roshini post of the Indian Army, sources said. The level of alertness, although, has been largely unaffected by revelations made by Abu Jindal, a key accused in the Mumbai terror attacks, about the dangerous plans of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to carry out major attacks in J&K. The Army has taken adequate “measures” along the 746-km-long LoC, including 224.5-km-long area south of the Pir Panjal range in the Jammu region, to neutralise Lashkar. “The Army is already abreast with the hectic activity in terror camps on the other side of the LoC and has devised a counter-strategy,” said a senior Army officer. Official sources told The Tribune that Pakistan’s espionage agency, the ISI, had been training militants in various camps, especially in Nakyal, Gulpur Baraily, Sansa and Kotli in the Mirpur division. Sources said at a particular camp in PoK near Mirpur, a Pakistan Army Major is giving a refresher course to a select group of 50 terrorists. “We have inputs about this refresher course. A lot of activity is going on these days in various camps across the border,” said the Army officer. The officer admitted there were certain routes in Mendhar, Poonch and Rajouri sectors where fence could not be erected, posing a threat of infiltratation. “We are alert 24x7. Our ambushes and patrol teams are deployed in those areas,” he said. The officer said the ISI had shifted a large number of terrorists from its Muzaffarabad division to the Mirpur area opposite the Jammu region. United Jehad Council (UJC) chief Saeed Hafiz has reportedly planned to push fresh groups of terrorists into the state via non-traditional routes in Poonch and Rajouri districts. IGP (Jammu region) Dilbag Singh said the recent trend of ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts in Rajouri and Poonch districts were clear indications for the security agencies. “A few days ago, we had reviewed the security apparatus along the LoC and the international border at a high-level meeting. Though militancy is down, it’s not out. Traces of LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen could still be seen,” he said. “A month ago, we had inputs that a refresher course is being imparted to a select group of terrorists in a particular camp on the other side of the LoC. A new training module has been prepared for them. Therefore, we may anticipate some disturbance in the days ahead. We are doing everything to defeat them,” the IGP said. |
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Dormant tectonic activity in state baffles geologists
Jammu, July 14 Experts have now placed the state in the seismic locked area, a term coined by geologists in view of slow plate activity, as they believe the region holds huge amounts of energy. Scientists say the release of energy in the form of tremors caused by tectonic activities averts the chances of huge earthquakes, but this activity is not that big in the state. Geologists across the world have predicted a major earthquake of magnitude 9 hitting the region in the next 50 years, which could have a devastating impact on the economic and social structure of this strategic Himalayan region sandwiched between hostile China and Pakistan. “The epicenter of most earthquakes in the region has mainly been in Hindukush or Pamirs and we are just experiencing the waves. If the epicenter is in J&K, it can release some of the pressure. It is not a local geological activity,” said Prof GM Bhat, a geologist at Jammu University. Bhat said the state could not escape earthquakes because the Return Period Theory suggested that there were chances of a severe earthquake hitting the state in the coming decades. A magnitude 5.8 earthquake had hit parts of J&K on Friday, which again brought to focus the vulnerability of the region. Prof Yudhvir Singh from Jammu University, who is conducting a geological research for the past two years, said: “We fall in zone V of earthquake-prone scale, but we are not seeing frequent activity here. Our concern is Kashmir, as it is on plate boundaries,” he said. A study conducted by a prominent US-based seismologist, Roger Bilham, has warned that the region needs to get prepared for a high-intensity quake in the near future. Prof Aamir Ali, coordinator, Disaster Management Cell, Kashmir, said they were monitoring these quakes but it was impossible to predict the big one. “Quakes occur frequently in the region due to the movement of tectonic plates. When Indian and Eurasian plates collide against each other, energy is released, causing the tremors. But the epicenter of only a few has been within Kashmir and Jammu,” Ali said.
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Presidential
Poll
Srinagar, July 14 During his visit, Mukherjee is slated to meet legislators of different political parties, including the Congress, the NC and the opposition PDP. The ruling NC, which has already pledged support to the UPA nominee, has 28 members in the 87-member state legislative Assembly, followed by 17 members of the Congress. The NC has six MPs, including NC president and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Sources Farooq Abdullah, in both Houses of the Parliament. Though the PDP is yet to open its cards, sources said the party had decided to support the UPA nominee. The PDP has second largest number of members (21) in the Assembly after the NC. In the previous coalition government of the PDP and the Congress between 2002 and 2008, the PDP had supported the UPA-I nominee, Pratibha Patil. The PDP, party sources said, had asked its legislators to be present in the summer capital for the presidential elections on July 19. The other MLAs in the 87-member House include 11 from the BJP, three from the J&K National Panthers Party, one member each from the CPI, Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN) and Peoples Democratic Front (PDF), and four Independents. |
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Major boost for Kashmiri handicraft exports
Srinagar, July 14 The facility of issuing IEC code — a prerequisite for exporting handicrafts — was suspended after the emergence of militancy in the state in the early 1990s. “We have recently started issuing the IEC to handicraft businessmen in Srinagar, 22 years after the facility was suspended,” said Muzaffar Hussain, Director, Handicrafts Department. “The issuing of the code here will help the handicraft industry grow, as it has a huge market across the globe,” he added. Hussain said after the suspension of the facility in Srinagar, the local businessman had to go to Jammu to procure the code, which drove youngsters away from the age-old craft in the Valley. Kashmiri handicrafts are known throughout the world for their artistic work and grandeur. Its vibrant hand-made articles have become a cultural identity for the state. In spite of the turmoil, those associated with the industry have ensured that the art does not die. Over 600 exporters are currently registered with the Handicrafts Department. In fact, the traders had been exporting handicrafts to various European countries, the USA besides other nations to keep the industry alive. “Last year, our handicraft exports rose to Rs 1,653 crore from Rs 1,004 crore in 2010. But with the provision of IEC in Srinagar, we expect the business to grow further this year,” Hussain said. “Out of total handicraft exported, 40 per cent comprised carpets, followed by shawls and papier-mache.” The Director said the department was planning to introduce various other facilities for traders in the coming weeks. The exporters said the facility of issuing IEC in Srinagar would attract more business.
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MGNREGA labourers to approach PM over wages
Jammu, July 14 The Prime Minister, while releasing the “NREGA Sameeksha” today, had stressed the need for addressing the problem of delayed payment under this revolutionary scheme. The helpless labourers have decided to take up the matter with the Union Government. “Today’s statement of the Prime Minister has rekindled a ray of hope among poor villagers who had worked for more than 45 days in 2010 but were yet to get wages,” said Vinod Sharma, sarpanch of Tarore village. He said except promises, the state government had done nothing to implement this national flagship programme in real spirit in Jammu and Kashmir. “The state government is not interested in solving our problems, so we have decided to approach the Union Government,” Sharma said. Over 60 job card holders, including 24 women, were engaged under the MNREGA scheme to remove sludge from a pond at Tarore village in the Vijapur area of Samba district in 2010. Although the work was completed in the stipulated time, no payment had been made to them to date. The work on the removal of sludge and the construction of the pond was started on February 5, 2010 and completed on March 16, 2010. Since March 2010, these villagers have been struggling to get their wages. Block Development Officer (BDO) Noor Alam said the work was executed during the tenure of his predecessor so he was not aware of the issue. “I came to know that the work was done without proper approval of the authorities concerned. My predecessor told me that there was some dispute over the approval of the work, so the payment was not released,” he said, while trying to wash his hands of the controversy. The sarpanch refuted the official statement and claimed that the work was started after the then Assistant Development Commissioner Ashok Bhagat gave an approval. “I still have a copy of the approval," he claimed and alleged that the villagers had been denied wages due to political reasons. The villagers had earlier brought this matter to the notice of BJP leader Kirit Sumaiya, who is the convener of the party's scam exposure committee. Sumaiya had also promised that the BJP would take up the issue in Parliament. |
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CRPF takes green steps to save ecology
Srinagar, July 14 “The CRPF, in association with the Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN), J&K chapter, has implemented climate solutions to minimise the adverse impact of the yatra on the ecology,” said Sudhir Kumar, a spokesperson for the CRPF. The officer claimed that it was for the first time that the CRPF had taken such measures to save the fragile ecology of the region during the yatra. The Amarnath cave is covered with snow for most part of the year and is accessible only during summer. The presence of a large number of pilgrims on the mountains over a short period of time poses various environmental problems. The CRPF spokesman said they were distributing biodegradable bags free of cost to yatris at Baltal to minimise the use of polythene and decrease the pollution. “We are also educating the shopkeepers and yatris about the impact of the haphazard use of polythene bags. They are being encouraged to use eco-friendly bags,” Kumar said. The CRPF has also installed eco-friendly hand washing stations to protect public health. “A water filtration plant has been set up to provide pure drinking water to the yatris. It not only saves the expenditure on purchasing mineral water but also saves the ecology from excess litter caused by disposal of empty water bottles. Pure water is also being supplied to nearby ‘bhandaras’ for cooking and drinking purposes,” Kumar said. The paramilitary force has also set up a waste management unit at its Baltal base camp. “The waste is segregated at source at the Baltal base camp of the CRPF. The dry waste goes for recycling and the biodegradable waste, like food, is fed into an enclosed unit for composting. The IYCN team is managing the composting unit,” he said.
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Governor reviews yatra status
Srinagar, July 14 SASB CEO Navin K Choudhary stated that during the first 19 days of the yatra — up to July 13 — the movement of pilgrims had to be stopped for specified periods on seven days owing to bad weather, and that 4,45,764 pilgrims had performed “darshan” during this period. From the reports received four times a day from the directors of the Nunwan, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Panjtarni, Baltal, Sangam and Shrine camps, it was observed that the day-to-day management of the camps had been proceeding smoothly. The CEO said till July 13, 74 lives had been lost, including six due to accidents and 68 due to different medical reasons. It was noted that two yatris had died in hotels, 12 in hospitals and two on the way to hospitals outside the yatra area. As reported by the Health Department, 1,85,259 pilgrims had received treatment at various medical aid centres and hospitals during the yatra so far. Of the 74 who lost their lives, 53 fell in the 20 to 60 age group, 16 in 61 to 70 group and three in above 70 age group. In two cases, their ages could not be ascertained. The Chairman had reviewed all health-related issues with Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma and his officials at a meeting on July 9. The Governor today discussed the status of the yatra with the Health Minister and DGP K Rajendra. The DGP reported that checking was being effectively done, particularly with regard to complaints about fake health certificates. The Health Minister said various medical centres of different systems of medicine were being run satisfactorily at the camps and adequate supplies of oxygen cylinders had been assured. The Chairman asked the CEO and the Health Department to issue fresh advisories in newspapers for the pilgrims. The Health Minister, along with the DGP and the CEO, would visit the base camps on July 16 for a fresh appraisal of issues relating to medical care. |
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Death toll rises to 78
Srinagar, July 14 The Amarnath yatra, which commenced on June 25 and is scheduled to conclude on August 2 on the occasion of Shravan Poornima coinciding with Raksha Bandhan reached the half way mark today.
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Parnai hydroelectric project under cloud
Jammu, July 14 But neither were any JKPDC officials ready to speak on the issue nor was the Minister of State for Power Shabir Khan aware that the project work had been allotted to a company. Khan expressed his ignorance on the issue. “As far as I am aware only tenders for the Parnai hydroelectric project have been floated,” Khan told The Tribune. The Minister hoped that the project would improve the socio-economic condition of the people of Poonch-Rajouri districts in general and the Mendhar area in particular. The MLA, Mendhar, Rafiq Hussain Khan, who has been demanding the construction of the project for nearly three decades, said the project was the only ray of hope for the people of Mendhar. “Since 1947, people of Mendhar have been demanding the project. The government should hand over the project to a reputed firm so as to complete it in the stipulated time,” he said. The project is proposed to come up at the Parnai area of Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district on the Suran river. Rafiq said the land of Mendhar tehsil was fertile but due to non-availability of irrigation facilities, farmers could not properly utilise the land. The multi-purpose project would also cover the drinking water shortage in the area. The detailed project report (DPR) of the project was prepared in the early 1980s and work began in 1990. But after some time, the project was stopped due to eruption of militancy. |
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J&K to get back properties in other states
Jammu, July 14 Official sources said Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had assured the Jammu and Kashmir delegation headed by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand at North Zone Chief Ministers’
Conference in Chandigarh that it would facilitate the process of handing over the immovable properties in other states, including Union Capital. “Chidambaram has assured that the Centre would handover the
possession of immovable properties of Jammu and Kashmir in Chandigarh, which is at
present under the occupation of the Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Government of India within one year,” the sources said. The Jammu and Kashmir Government had already submitted a detailed report on its properties in other states to the Union Government, seeking its intervention for handing over the possession of the same to the state. The sources added that Chidambaram had
also assured for taking up the issue regarding the state’s properties in
Union Capital, which is at present under the occupation of the Military Engineering
Services (MES), Ministry of Defence.
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Stress on value-based education in schools
Srinagar, July 14 He was speaking at a public reception function organised by the Tibetan community in his honour at the Tibetan High School here. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Minister of State for Tourism Nasir Aslam Wani, Zadibal MLA Peer Afaq Ahmad, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Samoon, MC Commissioner GN Qasba and other senior officers were also present. “Education should nurture and groom young children in the best mould, decorated with all values of human dignity, compassion and togetherness,” the Dalai Lama said while emphasising the need for making moral and secular education compulsory in the school curriculum. The spiritual leader wished peace, prosperity and well-being to the people of the state. He started his speech in Tibetan and then expressed his viewpoints in English. He appreciated the role of the school management and the principal in providing quality education to children, and assured support to the school for its further development. The Dalai Lama lauded the harmony prevailing between the Tibetan and Kashmiri communities in the state. He hoped that the relations between the two would strengthen further. Calling for creating a harmonious society, the Tibetan spiritual guru said man was a social animal and his intelligence should always guide him in all spheres. Anger and negative feelings should never be allowed to conquer the intelligence and commonsense of human beings gifted to them by god. Welcoming the spiritual leader, Omar Abdullah said the Dalai Lama’s visit to Srinagar after a gap of 24 years was a great occasion. “You are not only our respected guest but a revered religious personality,” he told the Dalai Lama and sought his good wishes for the state and its people. Omar said the Tibetan school enrolled both
Kashmiri and Tibetan students and teachers in the school belonged to both communities. “This symbolises the traditional brotherhood and cultural harmony between the two communities,” he added. |
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Srinagar, July 14 Vohra recalled meeting His Holiness in 1959 in Mussoorie when he was under training at IAS School and later when he was serving as the Union Home Secretary. The Governor and the Dalai Lama discussed several matters regarding India’s growth and future role in world affairs. The Dalai Lama presented two books to the Governor and wished him success in bringing peace and progress in the state. — TNS |
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Sikhs demand ban on Nayar's book
Srinagar, July 14 The protesters under the banner of the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Sikh Students Federation (SSF) assembled at the Residency Road and raised slogans against Nayar and the Central Government. “Nayar has hurt the sentiments of the Sikhs as he has described Jarnail Singh Bindranwale a terrorist,” said Harjeet Singh, president of the SSF. “The book by Nayar has described Bindranwale as a creation of the Congress, which is wrong. His accusations are mere propaganda,” he added Singh demanded that Nayar's autobiography should be banned immediately. — TNS
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Education
Board Secretary
Jammu, July 14 Sources said Prof MS Baloria, Secretary, JKBOSE, who was given another two months extension during the recent state Cabinet meeting, held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, was yet to receive the official letter regarding his extension order. Professor Baloria was appointed as Secretary in May last year and completed his one-year term in May this year. He was given an extension till June 30. Even then, the government failed to appoint a new secretary owing to which Professor Baloria was given another extension of two months from July 1. Sources said after learning about the second extension order, Professor Baloria went to the JKBOSE office to resume his duties. But the Chairman, Sheikh Bashir Ahmad, did not allow him to do so and asked him to produce the official letter of extension. This was followed by a heated exchange of words between the two senior officials. Professor Baloria told The Tribune that he was yet to receive the letter of extension order. “I have been informed about my extension order but am yet to receive a written order in this regard,” he claimed. “I do not know how long it will take for the authorities to issue the order regarding my extension but I hope for an early settlement of the issue.” JKBOSE is already under fire due to its announcement of 2012-14 session of elementary teachers training (ETT) course when it had failed to decide the fate of three previous batches. The process of appointment of a new JKBOSE Secretary is under progress. The four front-runners for the post include Prof Satinder Singh (Principal, GGM Science College), Prof Kiran Bakshi (Principal, Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar), Prof Renu Goswami (joint secretary, JKBOSE) and Prof Veena Pandita (joint secretary,
JKBOSE). |
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Fake
Appointment Racket
Srinagar, July 14 “We have so far attached 16 officials, including some senior officials who have been found guilty of making fraudulent appointments by an inquiry committee,” said Saleem-ur-Rehman, Director Health, Kashmir. “Nearly 150 persons have been found fraudulently appointed in the department thus far.” Sources in the department said most of those appointed fraudulently were engaged as class IV employees and were drawing salaries and other perks. The government suspects that the number of fake appointments in the department during the past four years stands at around 1,000. The Health Department had received several complaints regarding fake appointments over the years. These complaints were examined by the Director, Health Services, Kashmir, through a committee constituted by him. “The committee, after verification of such complaints, submitted a preliminary fact-finding report, which prima facie established a large number of fake appointments made by certain official,” said another official. Soon after the inquiry, the government on July 10, attached seven doctors, including Nazir Ahmad Hakeem, Deputy Director, Kashmir (Schemes); AR Matoo, in charge Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Anantnag; Altaf Beigh, CMO, Kulgam; GM Shaksaaz, Medical Superintendent, JLNM Hospital, Srinagar; Bashir Ahmed Najar, Block Medical Officer, Larnoo; and Gowhar Abbas, BMO Mattan. Another BMO, Iqbal Bichoo, had already been attached in the office of CMO, Anantnag. Nine more officials, including head assistants, senior and junior assistants, were attached after they were found part of the recruitment racket. “These nine officials were key actors in the appointment scandal,” he said. An inquiry into the appointment racket, “spread in almost all districts of the Valley”, is being conducted by Special Secretary to Government Health and Medical Education Department Syed Iftikhar
Hassan. |
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Jammu, July 14
