The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Home Secy: Can’t rule out more tunnels from across the border Says Pak truce violations a bid to mask Samba tunnel construction Arteev Sharma /TNS Jammu, August 24 Union Home Secretary R K Singh today drew a connection between the discovery of the transborder tunnel in Chechwal village of Samba sector and the recurring ceasefire violations by Pakistan Rangers, saying that the neighbouring country was trying to “mask” the construction work of the underground tunnel through unprovoked firing. He also made it categorically clear that Pakistan couldn’t stop the survey being conducted by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to detect underground tunnels, if any, along the border. “One reason (for the spurt in firing from across the border) is probably that this might be an attempt to mask the construction of tunnel which was going on in the Samba sector,” he told reporters at the Octroi post of the RS Pura sector here this morning. The Union Home Secretary, who arrived in Jammu for a two-day visit to the state for reviewing the security along the international border and the Line of Control, however, said it was hard to understand the other reasons because earlier they (Rangers) used to take recourse to sporadic firing to cover inf concerned (Chilyari), we understand that the firing must have been carried out to ensure that the GSI doesn’t detect anything.” He also didn’t rule out the possibility of more underground tunnels along the border with Pakistan, saying that is why securit concerned (Chilyari), we understand that the firing must have been carried out to ensure that the GSI doesn’t detect anything.” He also didn’t rule out the possibility of more underground tunnels along the border with Pakistan, saying that is why security forces have been put on the alert. A local farmer had detected an underground tunnel at Chechwal village close to the Chilyari border outpost of the BSF on July 28. To a query whether the firing from across the border would hamper the GSI survey, the Home Secretary said: “The GSI experts are on the job and they (Pakistan) cannot stop the survey. It will happen and will continue for about two-three months.” On problems being faced by farmers living along the border, Singh said the Central government woulw of the security situation with Northern Command chief Lt Gen K T Parnaik. Thereafter, he flew to Srinagar, where he held a meeting with Governor N N Vohra in the evening. They discussed various important s important Secretary discussed various important w of the security situation with Northern Command chief Lt Gen K T Parnaik. Thereafter, he flew to Srinagar, where he held a meeting with Governor N N Vohra in the evening. They discussed various important matters relating to border management, and external and internal security situation. Other issues relating to trans-LoC trade and securing sustained peace and normalcy in the state also came up for discussion.
	‘Hate posts a bid to polarise people’ Jammu, August 24 Asserting that fundamentalists from Pakistan and within the country were trying to polarise the people on communal lines, Union Home Secretary R K Singh has claimed that the government had “stopped and discredited” all attempts of such elements. “There is no polarisation but attempts from fundamentalists were there to polarise the people on communal lines. We discovered it, we stopped it and we discredited it,” Singh said while commenting on the situation in the country following the SMS hate posts originating from Pakistan. The Home Secretary reiterated that India had sent some samples (of bulk SMSes and hate messages) to the neighbouring country and blocked the sites with controversial content.
	Civilians chase militants, recover cop’s rifle Azhar Qadri Tribune News Service Srinagar, August 24 A group of civilians today chased two pistol-borne militants in Srinagar downtown and recovered the service rifle which the duo had snatched from a policeman here. The police termed the act as a ‘valiant response’. “Local youths chased the fleeing militants who had snatched a rifle from a policeman standing guard at Jamia Masjid,” a police spokesman confirmed. It is perhaps for the first time since the militancy erupted in Kashmir in 1989 that unarmed civilians chased the militants. The response came as a surprise as people in Kashmir have been supporting militants by thronging their funerals in thousands and many expressing their sympathy for the militant cause. The Nowhatta neighbourhood where the incident took place is a known hub of “anti-India” stone-pelting elements and a stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. The incident occurred when a policeman was injured by militants who hit him on the head with their pistol and snatched his rifle and fled. The police spokesman said the cop who belonged to the Indian Reserve Police (IRP) was on duty at the historic Jamia Masjid where hundreds had converged for Friday prayers. “In a daredevil act, the police constable along with local youths chased the militants,” the spokesman said. The high-drama chase ended when the fleeing militants were intercepted near Bohri Kadal locality adjacent to Nowhatta. The rifle was recovered along with the pistol that militants possessed. A Chinese-made pistol and four bullets were recovered, the spokesman said. The militants, however, managed to flee from the spot, he added.
	News analysis Pak desperate to infiltrate, put spotlight on Kashmir issue Arun Joshi/TNS Jammu, August 24 On the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, on August 20, Indian and Pakistani border guards were busy exchanging fire, not caring two hoots about the ceasefire agreement on the festival in 2003 and raising the fear that the international border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) might flare up like the bad old days. So far this year, there have already been 41 ceasefire violations as against 50 in the 2011 and 38 in 2010. The repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan are being viewed by the Indian Army as their motive to provoke retaliation and keep the situation at the borders simmering. The fear in turn percolates among people living along the borders. Two factors are at play here. Firstly, Pakistan is going by the dictum “now is the time” because in a month or two from now, the mountainous passes along the 742-km-long LoC will get closed because of the snowfall making infiltration to this side difficult. The LoC meanders from the plains of the Chicken Neck area to the hills in the Jammu region to high mountainous passes, ravines and then touches the trans-Himalayan range. An estimated 2,500 militants are waiting to cross over to this side of the dividing line. Secondly, the detection of a tunnel along the international border in Samba sector last month has made the Pakistani Rangers hyperactive. The number of ceasefire violations has become higher than that in 2010 and if the trend continues, the number may well surpass the past records. A spurt in the ceasefire violations, which the Indian side alleges is due to the unprovoked fire from Pakistan’s side has raised the possibility of more such clashes on the border to suit Pakistan’s design to keep the Kashmir issue in the spotlight for the international community. The Border Security Force (BSF) maintains, “Pakistan is trying to revive the Kashmir issue on the international agenda in desperation, as the anti-infiltration grid on the international border and the LoC had successfully foiled its fierce bids to push infiltrators into the Indian side. So it resorted to constructing an underground tunnel from its side to this side.” The tunnel was discovered by farmers and the BSF in Chechwal area of Samba sector on July 28 and was perhaps the best way by which Pakistan could send militants to this side. What has irked Pakistan is the boom in tourism in the Valley, the killing of almost all top commanders of various militant outfits and the foiling of infiltration bids from across the LoC and IB. “It was desperation that led Pakistan to construct an underground tunnel along the IB in order to push infiltrators in huge numbers and to escape the over-ground measures taken by the BSF,” said Rajeev Krishna, Inspector General of the BSF, Jammu Frontier. The recent firing has put a sense of insecurity among the civilians as their houses, cattle and fields are in the line of fire. Krishna told the Tribune that the recent hostile actions of Pakistan against the border guards, which have also scared the cicilian population, was linked to the discovery of the 350-metre-long and 25-metre-deep Samba tunnel as it had made the Pakistani Rangers and terrorists angry. “Had they been successful in their (tunnel) project, it could have caused a great damage to this side,” the BSF IG said. In July, the Northern Command chief Lt Gen KT Parnaik had told reporters that till June, there had been 40-50 infiltration attempts in which more than 35 militants had managed to sneak into the Indian side.
	K-online page wants Facebook to keep its IP address secret Fears govt crackdown if its identity is disclosed Azhar Qadri/TNS Srinagar, August 24 Online Kashmiri page Aalaw which is popular among many young Kashmiri netizens espousing the separatist cause, has appealed to social networking site Facebook not to disclose its internet protocol (IP) address as it fears crackdown by the government. “This message is for Facebook administrators and the US government. We are being warned by many well-wishers that they (Facebook) might hand over the IP details of administrators of Aalaw to the government of India on the pretext of curbing misinformation campaign aimed at inciting violence and hatred,” said Aalaw which means ‘call’. Aalaw surfaced amidst 2010 street protests which lasted for nearly six months paralysing the state apparatus. It said Facebook shall be held ‘responsible’ for any harm done to its administrators. “We want to inform all the concerned people that in case our IP details are handed over to Indian officials, we all shall be eliminated by Indian agencies and Indian police one by one. Those of us who are presently in Kashmir could face severe torture and intimidation to our family members. Let it be put on record that we and our nation shall hold Facebook responsible,” the message further said. The appeal comes at a time when the Centre has launched a cyber crackdown ordering Internet service providers to block 20 accounts which the government believes are spreading hate material that threatens national security. Union Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal had recently said that some social networking websites had agreed to share user information as Google and Facebook also announced they were cooperating with the authorities to remove "inflammatory and hateful content" from their websites. Aalaw became popular in 2010 when the government clamped down on local media, shutting down cable news channels and restricting the movement of journalists. It was during those turbulent months that this Facebook page updated round-the-clock news about killings, protests and “protest-calendars” issued by the hardline separatists. The police has arrested several youths on suspicion of administrating the page but it has been functioning despite the arrests. Social networking sites have emerged as favourite spots for the new generation tech-savvy youth where they engage in political discussions and at times in vitriolic campaigns too.
	Police foils Youth Congress protest over panchayat empowerment M Aamir Khan Tribune News Service Srinagar, August 24 The bid of Youth Congress leaders to take out a protest rally, seeking extension of the 73rd and 74th Amendment to the Panchayti Raj Act in the state, was foiled by the police today. A group of Youth Congress leaders and supporters led by state Youth Congress president Shahnawaz Chaudhary and party secretary Chetan Chauhan took out a procession from the Congress headquarters here to the Press Enclave. Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhary flayed the government for not implementing the 73rd and 74th Amendment to the Panchayati Raj Act, which he said would empower the panchayats. He also censured Minister for Panchayati Raj Ali Mohammad Sagar for repeatedly claiming that the government had empowered the panchayats. Chaudhary also came down heavily on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He said the Chief Minister was “just issuing orders from the secretariat” for the empowerment of panchayats while claiming that the same were not being implemented on ground. Later, when the protestors tried to proceed towards the Deputy Commissioner’s office to submit a memorandum, a police party swung into action and detained the protesters. “Nine leaders were detained and lodged at Kothi Bagh police station till 2.30 pm. We left the station after Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma reached the spot,” the Youth Congress vice-president for south Kashmir said. The Youth Congress has already staged protests across four districts of the Valley and will also stage protests in other districts where they intend to submit memorandums at the offices of the respective deputy commissioners. The party has already threatened to launch a state-wide agitation if the state government fails to address its demand. Pertinently, some panchayat members’ bodies too have threatened an agitation over the government’s refusal to implement the 73rd Amendment and its alleged failure to empower them. Sagar had recently rejected the demand, saying that the government was not bound to extend the 73rd Amendment. The minister had also said the state government’s own amendment Bill (to strengthen panchayats) had already been tabled in the state Assembly.
	Shabir visits flood-hit areas of Rajouri Ranjit Thakur Rajouri, August 24 Minister of State for Power, Forest, CAPD and Transport Shabir Ahmed Khan yesterday visited the flood-affected areas of Rajouri town to take stock of the damage caused to crops and property. The Minister, who was accompanied by officers and engineers of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, directed the concerned authorities to assess the loss of property and crops for providing immediate support and compensation under the calamity relief fund (CRF) to the affected families. The Minister also directed the engineers to formulate detailed project reports for construction of embankments on Sukhto Nalla so that floods could be prevented in the future. He also instructed them to ensure timely completion of the ongoing protection works in the area. Meanwhile, delegations from Poonch and Rajouri districts, including sarpanches and panches, met the Minister during his visit to the area. They apprised the Minister about their day-to-day problems and developmental needs. The Minister assured them that he would take up their demands with the concerned departments for immediate redressal.
	Nomenclature of Health Dept doctors changed Jammu, August 24 The department of Health and Medical Education has accorded the sanction for the re-designation of the posts of doctors in the Department of Health and Family Welfare. An assistant surgeon will be called a medical officer, a B-grade specialist a consultant and an A-grade specialist a senior consultant. “I am sure all the doctors will be happy as the changed nomenclature justifies the dignity of a doctor,” a doctor said. — TNS
	Showers likely in Valley today Bismah Malik/TNS Srinagar, August 24 After a prolonged dry spell in the Kashmir valley, the Meteorological Department has some good news for residents who have been waiting for rain. “Light to moderate rain is likely to occur on 25th or 26th August in most of the areas in the city which would bring a respite from the soaring temperatures,” Sonam Lotus, Director, Meteorological Department, said. Lately, the temperatures in the Valley have been 4-5 degrees Celsius above normal, which is a cause of concern for the farming community. Drought-like conditions in the Valley have had an adverse impact on the agricultural produce, particularly that of apples and paddy. Lack of rain showers is also a cause of discomfort for people here, who say they have never experienced such high temperatures before. Weathermen, however, reason that though the temperatures have been high in previous years as well, it is the rain deficit which is making the residents feel the pangs of heat.