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Pak fires on BSF post in Jammu
Two minors held for grenade attacks let off after counselling
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Road transport employees protest shifting of office
Policemen hold back Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation workers during a protest march towards civil secretariat in Srinagar on Monday. Photo: Amin War
India, PoK officials discuss clearance of travel permits
One dead, 2 hurt in sectarian clash in Ganderbal
People carry the body of Shabir Ahmad Bhat who was killed in a clash in Ganderbal on Monday. Photo: Amin War
Governor seeks world heritage site status for Mughal Gardens
Thousands of fish die in Nigeen Lake
US gurdwara shooting incident sparks protests in state
Multi-crore JKCA scam Wamiq Farooq killing case
Governor presented memorandum for raising cash relief to Pandits
Governor NN Vohra with president of the All India Kashmiri Samaj Moti Kaul during a meeting at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar on Monday. A Tribune photograph
Ambulances in Valley lack basic life-support facilities
HC condoles demise of Justice Kuchay
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Pak fires on BSF post in Jammu
Jammu, August 6 “Without any provocation from our side, Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire around 8.20 last night firing on Indian post Kot Kubba in the Arnia sector along the border in Jammu district,” said a senior BSF officer. “Their unwarranted act compelled us to give them a calibrated response and the intermittent fire continued till 9.15 pm before guns fell silent on both sides,” he added. The officer said there were no casualties or injuries to BSF troopers in the firing. “The firing was heavy for the first 15 minutes. It turned intermittent later and
continued for over an hour,” he said. “We don’t know if they have suffered any injuries or casualties in the retaliatory fire,” he said. The small arms firing by Pakistan Rangers came from their Iqbal Shaheed post in the Sialkot sector targeting forward points, including Kot Kubba border outpost. “This morning we lodged a strong protest with our counterparts at a commandant-level flag meeting held at the Zero Line between the two posts,” said the officer. “We told them that since the area had been peaceful for the past year, why did they want to vitiate the atmosphere,” he added. However, Pakistan Rangers remained in a denial mode and instead “blamed us for the skirmish”, he said. The BSF officer,
however, ruled out any infiltration while the firing was going on. “We didn’t observe any movement of militants on their side. So, we can rule out the possibility that Pakistan Rangers violated the ceasefire with an intention to push militants to this side from the Iqbal Shaheed post,” said the officer. But the BSF is alert to the possibility of infiltration, he added. The firing came close on the heels of the detection of a 500-metre-long tunnel near the Chalyari border outpost in Samba sector on July 28. The BSF and the Army are on a high alert in view of Independence Day when terrorists are expected to try and disrupt the celebrations. Ceasefire Violation *
Since 2006, Pakistan has violated the ceasefire 250 times and this year there have been 19 violations so far *
Under confidence-building measures, India and Pakistan had agreed for ceasefire in November 2003 |
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Two minors held for grenade attacks let off after counselling
Srinagar, August 6 “The two children aged 12 and 13 were detained after the CCTV footage found them hurling a grenade at the police
station. We had picked them up, but keeping in view their age, we released them,” said a police officer in Sopore. “We counselled the children and their parents before releasing them,”
he said. The police had initially suspected the hand of Lashkar-e-Toiba militants in the Sopore grenade attacks, but police officers were surprised when
they came to know that the boys had hurled grenades in the town. The police said during questioning the two children revealed that they were provided Rs 500 by militants for hurling the grenades. “We are looking for the persons who had provided them the grenades,” the police officer said. Militants had struck twice in Sopore town by carrying out grenade attacks. The first grenade was hurled on Tuesday at a police patrol party in the Iqbal market of the town. A policeman, identified as Anil Kumar, was injured in the attack. Two hours later militants had lobbed a grenade at the Sopore police station, which exploded in its compound. Some police vehicles parked in the compound suffered damage. |
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Road transport employees protest shifting of office
Srinagar, August 6 A large number of SRTC employees, who have been on a strike for the last four days, took out a procession from the TRC yard here. While the protesters were planning to hold a dharna outside the Divisional Commissioner’s Office at Tankipora, they were halted by the police as soon as they reached Lal Chowk. A few protesters were also detained after some sat on a dharna near Ganta Ghar thereby disturbing the movement of vehicular traffic at the busy Lal Chowk area while others tried to move towards the DC office. Chairman of the SRTC Union Shakeel Ahmad Kuchay said a group of protesters, however, managed to reach the Divisional Commissioner’s Office where they staged a protest. He said the shifting of the headquarters would severely affect their business. “Why would people, who want to go to Jammu, first take a Sumo all the way down to Nowgam (about 8 km from Lal Chowk) and then take an SRTC bus. Taking a Sumo straight to Jammu would be more convenient for them,” said Kuchay. He said the strike would continue tomorrow. “We have not yet decided to go on an indefinite strike… but we are extending it by a day,” Kuchay said. |
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India, PoK officials discuss clearance of travel permits
Poonch, August 6 During an hour-long meeting, Poonch Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anwar Hussain Shah and his counterpart, Sohail Azam, DC, Rawlakote, in the presence of passport officials from both sides, discussed the issue in detail. The Poonch DC stressed on the need for timely issuance of permits to applicants. Over 5,000 people from the state had applied for permits to visit Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Due to procedural delay from PoK many have lost the hope. The officials stressed on communicating with each other through e-mail so that the travel permits could be issued on time. The DC, Poonch, said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. It was stressed that due to procedural delay from PoK, over 3,000 applications were pending and PoK was not following the agreement of clearing the permits within 45 days. “We have cleared 4,000 permits of PoK residents who wish to visit this part of the state. For speedy issuance of permits, we proposed to exchange e-mails,” said Shah. “Due to some vague addresses and slow correspondence, we face difficulties in clearing permits on time. We have cleared 1,200 permits and the remaining will be issued after proper verification,” said Sohail Azam, DC, Rawlakote. “Today we discussed the issue and problems in detail. We hope the permits will be cleared after some days,” said Sohail. The cross-LoC bus service is one of the main confidence building measures between India and Pakistan. It was started in 2005. Both the officials also stressed the need to provide basic facilities at Chakan-da-Bagh and immigration centres on both the sides. |
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One dead, 2 hurt in sectarian clash in Ganderbal
Srinagar, August 6 He said Shabir Ahmad Bhat (20), a resident of Sendbal village, died after being hit in the head during the clash. “Bhat was taken to a hospital where he died,” the officer said. This is the first sectarian clash in the Valley, which has led to a casualty. Religious and separatist groups had warned of growing sectarian tension. Many groups, including the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, have organised seminars this year to subdue any strains based on sectarian grounds. The police said two more men suffered minor injuries in the clash. Sendbal village and its adjoining areas remained tense after the news of the clash and Bhat’s death spread. “There was a law and order problem after the clash, but the situation is under control,” the police officer said. No one has been arrested so far in connection with the clash and Bhat’s killing, he said. |
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Governor seeks world heritage site status for Mughal Gardens
Srinagar, August 6 The famed Mughal Gardens, most of which are located on the banks of the Dal Lake, were built on the directions of various Mughal emperors and their courtiers many centuries ago. The Union Minister ordered the Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, Gautam Sengupta, to provide the required technical support for the J-K Department of Culture to finalise the documentation for the recognition of the Mughal Gardens of Kashmir as a world heritage site, the spokesman said. Kumari Selja met the Governor at his official residence, where the two discussed measures taken to conserve, preserve and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the state. “The state has a rich treasure of monuments and other icons of cultural heritage which are invaluable from the historical, cultural and civilisational perspective and hold signal importance as symbols of the centuries-old secular traditions of our country,” the Governor said. Selja briefed the Governor about the current status of various sites of archaeological and heritage importance being conserved by the Archaeological Survey of India in the state, the spokesman said. |
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Thousands of fish die in Nigeen Lake
Srinagar, August 6 While thousands of fish were found floating on the lake since yesterday, teams from Kashmir University, environmental NGOs and government departments visited the lake today to find out the reason behind their death. Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) vice-chairman Irfan Yasin said a team of their department was doing further investigation but the deaths were apparently caused by the humid weather. “The peripheries around the lake had heated up considerably, which probably led to the deaths,” he told The Tribune. Yasin, however, admitted that such large-scale
deaths had not been witnessed earlier. Abdul Hamid, a houseboat owner, too said the phenomenon had not been witnessed earlier. “Fish have died in the past but not in thousands, and that too in a single day,” he said. The houseboat owners also pointed out that such deaths had occurred previously due to falling of electric wires in the lake. The Directorate of Fisheries, on the other hand, has blamed depletion of oxygen and fluctuation of temperature in the Nigeen Lake. A statement issued by the department also said the cause could be the large flow of untreated sewage into the lake. “This happens when a water body is loaded with high quantity of nutrients along with a large quantity of untreated sewage; the growth of macrophytes is accordingly very high. In summer, high temperature spell continues. The oxidation of nutrients is also very high and brisk, resulting in depletion of oxygen levels in the lake. Due to sudden fall in temperature, some adverse effect must have been caused on the fish life,” the statement said. Meanwhile, students and other environmental experts, who visited the spot, too came up with different reasons from alleged involvement of “human hand” to pollution in the lake. However, they agreed that the occurrence had to be probed thoroughly before drawing a final conclusion. Director, Fisheries, Showkat Ali said the directorate had taken the samples to find out other reasons, if any. “The samples are being examined and the results will be out in the next two days,” said Ali. The Vice-Chairman, LAWDA, said it was difficult to ascertain the exact number of deaths but stated they were mostly inedible “trash fish”. Humid weather the culprit? Lakes and Waterways Development Authority vice-chairman Irfan Yasin said a team of their department was doing further investigation but the deaths were apparently caused by the humid weather. The peripheries around the lake have heated up considerably, which probably led to the deaths. |
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US gurdwara shooting incident sparks protests in state
Jammu, August 6 The Jammu and Kashmir Warriors Front (JKWF), while condemning the incident, has called for Jammu Bandh tomorrow to express its solidarity with the Sikhs living in the state and across the world. Enraged over the shooting incident, members of various Sikh organisations along with children assembled outside Gurudwara Digiana Ashram and blocked Jammu-Pathankot national highway for half an hour. The protesters also burnt tyres and raised slogans against the US government. “The incident was highly condemnable and unfortunate. It was an act of terrorism and the US has failed to tackle such acts of terrorism. A sense of insecurity prevails among minorities in the US because of hate crimes. The US stands exposed with its hollow security scenario,” said Sudershan Singh Wazir, president of the Sikh United Front. Harjeet Singh, president of the Nirbhow Nirvahar Organisation (NNO), appealed to the US government to take the necessary steps against the growing domestic crime in the country. “We also appeal to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take up the issue with the US for ensuring foolproof security of Sikhs living there,” he said. Six people were killed and several others injured after a gunman opened fire in a gurdwara in Wisconsin in the US during morning prayers yesterday. The gunman was also killed by the police. The activists of the Sikh United Front also assembled outside the Jammu Press Club and raised slogans against the incident. They described the incident as a “cowardly act” and demanded that the US President should order a high-level probe into the incident, besides ensuring security of Sikhs living in his country. Students of Government MAM Post Graduate College boycotted their classes and staged a demonstration against the “communal attack”. The protesting students assembled under the banner of the National Panther Students Union (NPSU) and shouted slogans against the US government demanding justice for the victims’ families. The All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee, Srinagar, has also condemned the incident and paid tributes to those who were killed in the incident. The committee held an emergency meeting and urged the US President to take strong measures for the protection of minorities in the US, especially after 9/11.
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Multi-crore JKCA scam
Jammu, August 6 Sources said the committee led by convener and former JKCA chairman Mehboob Iqbal had discussed the cricket season ahead at a meeting held at GGM Science College Hostel Ground on Sunday evening. Deliberations were also held on various aspects, including preparation of the ground, wickets and preparatory camps for the upcoming season. Those who attended the meeting included Ramesh Mahajan, Barjinder Singh, Jung Bahadur, Nirmal Singh and Tilak Singh. JKCA vice-chairman (Jammu Wing) Shambu Nath Sharma while confirming the development said it would take some time to kick start the activities. “Yes, the meeting was held and a tentative schedule was also prepared,” said Sharma. “The committee has sent a proposal to the JKCA regarding the requirement of funds to carry out the cricket activities, coaching camps and preparation of wickets,” he added. “The weather is not conducive at the moment to conduct tournaments,” said the JKCA vice-chairman. When asked about the possibility of receiving funds to resume activities in Jammu province, Sharma said, “I am hopeful that the funds will be made available to start the process.” “The resumption of cricket activities in the state is a welcome step and all the credit goes to Dr Farooq who is concerned about the future of state cricketers,” he said. “Not only the association, but the cricketers are also eagerly waiting to participate in tournaments.” The sources claimed that after the unearthing of the much publicised multi-crore cricket scam, the JKCA was finding it difficult to cope up with aggrieved players who were blaming the association for not taking any serious initiative to re-start the activities. After organising tournaments in a phased-manner in Kashmir province, the JKCA is now focusing on to conduct tournaments in the winter capital. |
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Wamiq Farooq killing case
Srinagar, August 6 The fresh directions from the court came following submissions by the prosecution that the IG had already constituted a SIT on July 31 comprising three members of the rank of Dy SP, inspector and sub-inspector. The prosecution informed the court that the newly constituted SIT would be supervised by SP (Headquarters) Aijaz Ahmad Khan. During the hearing today, counsel for the victim’s family advocate Ajaz A Dar raised contentions that the constitution of the SIT as ordered by the IG was “flawed”. Subsequently, after hearing both the sides, CJM Rajeev Gupta observed that the SIT constituted by the IG was not in consonance with the earlier court directions. The court directed him to constitute the SIT “strictly in accordance with the orders” passed on February 5, 2011, wherein the IG had been directed to constitute the SIT to be headed by a police officer not below the rank of SP. “The order issued (by IG) on July 31, 2012, is not in conformity with the orders passed by this court on February 5, 2011. As per clear directions of this court, the SIT is to be headed by an officer of the rank of SP,” CJM Gupta observed in his orders passed today. Referring the matter back to IG, Gupta directed him to “constitute the SIT strictly in accordance with February 2011 orders”. The court also directed him to do it within 15 days, posting the matter for consideration on August 22. Wamiq Farooq, a Class VII student, was allegedly killed by a teargas shell fired by the police on January 31, 2010, in downtown Srinagar. |
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Governor presented memorandum for raising cash relief to Pandits
Srinagar, August 6 The Governor assured Kaul that he would address Chief Minister Omar Abdullah regarding the demands projected in the memorandum. The demands projected in the memorandum included enhancement of cash relief to Kashmiri Pandit migrants and special package for Kashmiri Pandits who stayed back in the Valley, an official spokesman said. The spokesman said the memorandum also included the demand for the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Employment Package for the Kashmiri migrants.
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Ambulances in Valley lack basic life-support facilities
Srinagar, August 6 “We do not have emergency medical aid in the ambulances. The result is that there are less chances of survival of critically-ill patients,” said a senior doctor in Srinagar. “The ambulances should have been like a ‘mobile hospital’, but here they are just vehicles for carrying the sick and injured to hospital,” the doctor said. Some of the ambulances, however, have a stretcher and an oxygen unit. Sources in the Health Department said there were clear cut directions from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to have basic life support system in the ambulances. “The Ministry guidelines are hardly followed,” said another doctor in central Kashmir. “The ambulances should have an oxygen system, portable suction unit, traction splints, padded board splints, ring-cutter, blood pressure apparatus and defibrillator-cum-monitor. But there is no such equipment in the ambulances,” he added. “Ambulances, which bring patients to city hospital from far-flung areas, clearly show how difficult it is for rural people to access quality healthcare, particularly in times of emergency,” said a city resident, Tariq Ahmed. Director, Health Services, Kashmir, Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman said they were trying to improve the ambulance service. “We are trying to have better equipment for the ambulances. We are also training health staff to provide support, especially during emergencies,” said the Director.
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HC condoles demise of Justice Kuchay
Srinagar, August 6 The full court reference was lead by the Chief Justice of the J&K High Court, Justice MM Kumar, who described Justice Kuchay as an “outstanding personality”. |
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Indian and Pakistani troops traded small arms fire in the Arnia sector along the 192-km-long international border after Pakistan violated the mutually-brokered truce deal between the two countries late last night.
“Without any provocation from our side, Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire around 8.20 last night firing on Indian post Kot Kubba in the Arnia sector along the border in Jammu district,” said a senior BSF officer.
State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) employees staged a dharna at the heart of the city today to protest the shifting of its headquarters to Nowgam on the outskirts of the city.
A large number of SRTC employees, who have been on a strike for the last four days, took out a procession from the TRC yard here.
One person was killed and two more suffered minor injuries in a clash between two sects in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir today.
The clash broke out between two groups, subscribing to different sects at a mosque in Sendbal village of
Ganderbal, 25 km from here, a police officer said.
Governor N N Vohra today sought Union Minister for Culture Kumari Selja’s support to secure the status of world heritage site for Kashmir’s famed Mughal Gardens.
“The Governor solicited Kumari Selja’s interest and support in the Mughal Gardens of Kashmir for securing world heritage site status from UNESCO,” an official spokesman said.
The sudden large-scale death of fish at the city’s Nigeen Lake has led to speculations with different groups presenting diverse opinions on the reason for the death.
While thousands of fish were found floating on the lake since yesterday, teams from Kashmir University, environmental NGOs and government departments visited the lake today to find out the reason behind their death.
The killing of six Sikhs in a shooting incident at a gurdwara in the US today sparked off protests in the state, with various Sikh and non-Sikh organisations urging US President Barack Obama to ensure fool-proof security of Sikhs.
The Jammu and Kashmir Warriors Front (JKWF), while condemning the incident, has called for Jammu Bandh tomorrow to express its solidarity with the Sikhs living in the state and across the world.
All India Kashmiri Samaj president Moti Kaul
presented a memorandum of demands to Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today.
The Governor assured Kaul that he would address Chief Minister Omar Abdullah regarding the demands projected in the memorandum.
