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J&K shoots down CRPF request on troop cut
13 injured in road mishap in Rajouri
Transborder tunnel likely to open in Pak
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Travel advisories by West hit research work on Kashmir
Cop’s police remand extended by 8 days
West Pak refugees accuse J-K politicians of cashing in on their problems
NC worker’s custodial death
National Conference has failed on political front, says Mufti
Youth Cong urges Omar to empower panchayats
Omar hopeful of AFSPA revocation during his tenure
Col Patil calls on Governor
Guv, British envoy discuss Indo-UK relations
Government schools present a grim picture in Jammu
Children with special needs to
get aid from foreign bodies
Sarpanch shot at by militants in Pulwama
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J&K shoots down CRPF request on troop cut
Srinagar, August 28 Sources said the request for withdrawing two CRPF battalions from the Valley was turned down by the state government after consultation with the Union Home Ministry. “We had received a request from the CRPF that they wanted to remove two battalions from the Valley for Naxal-affected areas in Chhattisgarh. But after considering all aspects of security, we rejected their request,” said a top government official. “The viewpoint put forth by the government was that if 2,000 CRPF men are withdrawn, the overall security will be compromised.” The CRPF is assisting the J&K Police in law and order and counter-insurgency operations since 2005 when they started replacing the BSF for internal security duty across Kashmir. At present, 52 battalions of the CRPF are deployed across the Valley, and 26 of these are posted in Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal districts. After 2005 the primary task of the CRPF was to hold counter-insurgency operations in the state. But after the 2008 Amarnath land row, the force is largely involved in controlling riots in the Valley. During the stone-throwing incidents in 2008 and 2009, around 1,600 CRPF men were injured in clashes. Sources said the CRPF had pleaded that “with the improvement in situation such a large number of its personnel are not required in the Valley.” State Principal Secretary (Home) B R Sharma admitted that a written request for the withdrawal of two battalions by the CRPF was received by the government. “We have given our viewpoint on the issue,” said Sharma. |
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13 injured in road mishap in Rajouri
Rajouri, August 28 Reports said the vehicle was on its way from Shopian to
Rajouri. Locals immediately rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. All the injured were shifted to sub-district hospital,
Thanamandi. Three injured persons were referred to District Hospital,
Rajouri, after their condition was stated to be critical, sources said. The incident occurred due to a technical fault in the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was also seriously injured in the accident. Those with minor injuries were discharged after getting first aid at sub-district hospital,
Thanamandi.
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Transborder tunnel likely to open in Pak
Jammu, August 28 “The BSF authorities have so far managed to detect 35 metres of the tunnel across the fencing while digging work on another 10 metres is going on in full swing. The BSF is likely to come to a conclusion either on August 29 or 30 on the starting point of the tunnel which is most likely to be on the other side of the border,” official sources said. Sources said 35-m detected portion of the tunnel was similar to what had been detected in Chechwal village. The tunnel was detected after a field caved in due to heavy rain in Chechwal village of the Samba sector. The tunnel might have been dug to push in infiltrators and smuggle narcotics to the Indian side, said the sources. The Geological Survey of India
(GSI) had done the digging work and had detected the 540-m tunnel. The GSI team left the area almost a fortnight back. The BSF has restarted the digging work across the fencing to find out the exact alignment of the tunnel. During his recent visit, Union Home Secretary RK Singh ruled out the possibility of more such tunnels along the border and said the GSI would conduct a survey to detect underground tunnels, if any, on the Indo-Pak border. |
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Travel advisories by West hit research work on Kashmir
Srinagar, August 28 Educationists and researchers of Kashmir feel that even students from the Valley suffer due to lack of exposure to international standards, which could be possible by interacting with globally renowned scholars and scientists. Prof Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir, says: “Due to travel advisories issued by the US and other countries asking scientists, researchers and scholars not to visit Kashmir, our students are being deprived of opportunities. Therefore, I request officials of the US Embassy to review this policy.” These travel advisories were issued way back during the 1990s after news of four British tourists having been allegedly abducted and killed in 1995 circulated worldwide. The advisories categorically mention that the citizens of these countries should avoid visiting Kashmir as risk was involved due to armed clashes, terrorist activities and violent demonstrations. Not only are such travel advisories causing a deficit of tourist inflow to the Valley, these are also hampering any coordinated research work which can be carried out in a scientifically-important area like Kashmir. Experts say whatever research has been done on Kashmir has been possible due to coordinated efforts of local and international scientists. But with restrictions imposed on their visit to Kashmir, these studies get adversely affected. “Kashmir offers diversity in terms of geography and other bio-sciences for scientists to explore. Many US-based geologists have written to me expressing their desire to stay in Kashmir and conduct coherent studies on seismic zones of the Valley. But these advisories restrain the process of scientific and even literary works conducted on Kashmir,” said Professor Ishtiyaq, a geology expert at the Islamic University of Science and Technology. |
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Cop’s police remand extended by 8 days
Srinagar, August 28 Both Shigan and Gojri were produced by the police in the court of the Sub-Registrar, Srinagar, as their eight-day police custody ended today. The duo has been allegedly involved in 13 militant attacks in Srinagar during the past 18 months. “They were produced this afternoon in the court, wherein the Investigation Officer of the case sought extension in their police remand,” said a court official. The court accordingly extended the police remand by eight more days, he added. Shigan, a constable with the security wing of the JK Police, and Gojri, a released militant, were arrested on August 20 from Srinagar. Their arrest was announced by Inspector General of Police Shiv Murari Sahai during a press conference on August 21. Shigan had been posted as security officer at the Srinagar residence of the Superintendent of Police for north Kashmir’s Bandipora district. The duo had formed an independent militant squad, Islamic Movement of Kashmir, and carried out motorcycle-borne attacks in the city. The attacks include the recent killing of a retired DSP of the J&K Police and the assassination bid on ruling NC minister Ali Mohammad
Sagar. |
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West Pak refugees accuse J-K politicians of cashing in on their problems
Sampur Pur Kulian (Marh), August 24 “I and my children were born in Jammu and Kashmir but we have been denied our democratic rights,” rued Ram Singh, who blamed politicians for the plight of West Pakistani refugees living in the state. “Had we gone to any other part of the country, we would have enjoyed all the fundamental rights. Now, we think our elders committed a big blunder by taking Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s promises seriously and coming to Jammu and Kashmir after Partition,” Singh lamented. Quoting his father, Ram Singh says refugees from West Pakistan were initially moving to Punjab after Partition but the first Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, stopped them and urged them to settle in his state, promising to give them all the rights. “Since 1947, we have been receiving nothing but promises,” says Parshotam Kumar, another West Pakistani refugee who settled in this village. “Neither do we have ownership of agricultural land nor are we entitled to any government-sponsored poverty alleviation scheme. How long will we survive in a situation like this?” he questioned, adding that their patience was running out. For the last 65 years, over 40 families of West Pakistani refugees have been living in this village but they are “still treated as Pakistani Guests”. “Politicians of Jammu and Kashmir, for their petty political gains, are brazenly giving political colour to our problems and trying to make excuses to deny constitutional rights to us,” says Ram Singh, while pointing towards a statement by hardcore separatist leader Sayed Ali Shah Geelani, who opposed permanent settlement of these refugees. “Instead of encashing on our problems, politicians should realise that we are human beings and we too want to live like other people in the state with dignity and honour,” says Garu Ram, another refugee. |
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NC worker’s custodial death
Srinagar, August 28 Syed Yousuf, a prominent National Conference worker, died in police custody on September 30, 2011, after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah handed him over to the crime branch of the police on September 29. During the hearing on August 18, the Commission had declined to summon Yousuf’s driver and four doctors from among the list of witnesses provided by Mushtaq A Dar, counsel representing the victim’s family. The witnesses whom the Commission agreed to be summoned on the next hearing included Talib
Hussain, Yousuf’s son, and the victim’s daughter. “The hearing is scheduled on Wednesday and I am hopeful to produce my witnesses before the Commission,” said Dar. He, however, did not share the details of witnesses likely to be produced before the panel tomorrow. Following directions by the Commission on July 24 to furnish a list of witnesses, the counsel representing Yousuf’s family had submitted a list of 11 witnesses to the Commission for examination. The Chief Minister had summoned Yousuf to his official residence at Gupkar after party workers had alleged that he took money from them after promising a legislator’s job to one and ministerial berth to another. On November 18, 2011, the government appointed Supreme Court Judge Justice HS Bedi
(retd) as the head of the one-man Bedi Commission to probe Yousuf’s death in police custody. A magisterial probe has given a clean chit to the Chief Minister in the case. |
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National Conference has failed on political front, says Mufti
Srinagar, August 28 “The Chief Minister has lost the political and moral authority to govern the state after his involvement in (NC worker) Syed Yousuf’s death in suspicious circumstances,” Mufti said while addressing a public meeting at central Kashmir’s Budgam district. “The Chief Minister cannot question any minister or official after allegations of corruption against the ruling family. The party was exposed in the Yousuf case,” he said. The PDP leader said the multicrore cricket scam in which the funds received for promotion of cricket were brazenly siphoned off had also dented the image of the party. The issue had been hushed up to save the skin of NC bigwigs and their cronies, he added. Mufti lambasted the government over poor supply of power. “Power tariff has been hiked manifold but the supply is decreasing every day. The power reforms initiated by the previous government have been shelved and the Chief Minister is blaming the consumers and the department. It is the same people and same department that turned things around in 2002,” said Mufti, who occupied the Chief Ministerial chair that year. Mufti said the latest noises over the NHPC projects by the government were “amusing to say the least”. “Between Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, 10 major projects were handed over to the NHPC. And now they have started shedding crocodile tears over the ‘loot of state resources’,” he said. Pointing out to the development freeze, Mufti said development works under the state and Central sectors had been hit by government lethargy, corruption and favouritism. “There is no development strategy for the government and corruption is rampant as was pointed out even by the CAG report,” Mufti said. Senior party leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beig, also spoke on the occasion. |
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Youth Cong urges Omar to empower panchayats
Srinagar, August 28 “If powers are decentralised to the panchayats, full benefits of centrally-sponsored schemes will reach the rural areas,” the AIYC president said while interacting with sarpanches and panches of Anantnag district. Satav had flown in from Mumbai for a day-long visit to Anantnag to extend support to the Pradesh Youth Congress’ (PYC) demand for the extension of 73rd and 74th Amendment to the Panchayati Raj Act in the state. He urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to implement the Act in the state, saying it would adequately empower the panchayats. Speaking on the occasion at Town Hall, Anantnag, PYC president Shahnawaz Chaudhary reiterated the demand for the extension of the Act to the state. PYC vice-president for south Kashmir Ejaz Mehr said the main purpose to bring Satav to Kashmir was to extend support to their demand of implementing the 73rd and 74th Amendment. The PYC has been holding a series of protests across the state in support of their demand. They have submitted memorandums at the offices of deputy commissioners. “We will finish our district-wide protest programme by this week. If the government continues to show a cold shoulder to our demands, we will intensify our protests and resort to secretariat gherao and hunger strike,” said Chaudhary. Some panchayat members’ bodies have also threatened an agitation over the government’s refusal to implement the 73rd Amendment and its alleged failure to empower them. Panchayat Affairs Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar recently rejected the demand, saying that the government was not bound to extend the 73rd and 74th Amendment. The Minister said the state government’s Amendment Bill (to strengthen panchayats) had already been tabled in the Assembly. |
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Omar hopeful of AFSPA revocation during his tenure
Srinagar, August 28 Addressing a public meeting in Pulwama district today, the Chief Minister asserted that the state would witness the revocation of the AFSPA during his tenure, adding that benefits of peace will be circulated all across. Omar said his endeavour was to take peace dividends to each household and make public fully empowered to ask questions about the performance of the government at all levels. Omar said when the PDP was in power its leadership did not talk about the revocation of the AFSPA or other such related issues. He said when the PDP was in power it had voted against the rehabilitation policy resolution moved in the Legislative Assembly by MY
Tarigami, which was then supported by the National Conference. The Chief Minister said his government had initiated various measures in this directions, adding that enactment of the Public Services Guarantee Act
(PSGA), Right to Information Act (RTI), panchayat elections and transfer of powers to these bodies vindicated his government’s commitment for good governance and public empowerment. The Chief Minister said by the enactment and implementation of the
PSGA, the common man had been legally empowered to get service delivery within a prescribed time frame. He said government officials had been legally bound to ensure service delivery within the prescribed time limit. He said any laxity or failure by government officials made them liable for specific fine, a part of which would be given to affected consumer as compensation. Omar said by implementing the Right to Information Act and constituting the State Right to Information Commission, his government had given ample powers to people to question any government department about its functioning, physical progress of works, financial transactions and other related matters. He said this had made the functioning of the government departments transparent and curbed the chances of corruption. The Chief Minister while addressing the public meeting in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, which has the largest representation of PDP members in the Legislative Assembly, said the damage done to the NC in Pulwama and south Kashmir would be undone by rejuvenating the party rank and file and rebuilding the area as a fortress of the NC and its ideology, as the area was known for in the
past. kOmar said the National Conference symbolised the aspirations of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and
Ladakh. He said the party had made tremendous sacrifices time and again to uphold public cause and safeguard solidarity, amity, brotherhood and equitable development of all regions and section of society. |
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Col Patil calls on Governor
Srinagar, August 28 Colonel Patil briefed the Governor about the evolution, history and glorious achievements of the valiant officers and men of the regiment, an official said. He also told the Governor about the various programmes being organised as part of the golden jubilee year celebrations of this youngest infantry regiment of the Indian
Army. Vohra lauded the commitment and bravery of officers and jawans of the Ladakh Scouts and recalled the numerous sacrifices made by them for safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country for which this regiment has received many honours and awards. The Governor accepted Colonel Patil’s request to participate in the golden jubilee celebrations. |
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Guv, British envoy discuss Indo-UK relations
Srinagar, August 28 Meanwhile, Commandant of the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre Col SS Patil also called on the Governor at Raj
Bhawan. British High Commissioner in
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Government schools present a grim picture in Jammu
Jammu, August 28 Official statistics suggest that less than one per cent of government high schools in Jammu province fulfil conditions laid down under the Sadr-e-Riyasat Ordinance (SRO) 123. Only five out of total 641 government high schools in Jammu province meet the criteria under the SRO 123. The information provided by the department under the RTI Act to Vilakshana Singh, a lawyer, said 412 government high schools in Jammu did not have a laboratory of specified dimensions and 498 high schools had no indoor games room. The SRO says, besides other facilities, a private high school must have a separate classroom for each section with an average space of 1 to 2 sq m per student, a library, a room for indoor games (of not less than 150 sq m area), a multipurpose educational laboratory (with 150 sq m area), a principal’s room (with 150 sq m space), a office room (75 sq m), one staff room (100 sq m), separate toilet and drinking water facility for students (boys and girls), besides staff, assembly or examination hall and a playground. The RTI reply stated that 409 high schools didn’t have library facility and 459 high schools were without a separate classroom for each section. “305 high schools even do not have separate toilet and drinking water facility for students (boys and girls). 457 high schools are without assembly or examination halls. 322 high schools have no playground,” it revealed. Most of these schools even don’t have rooms for principal and staff, which had been made mandatory for private institutions. Vilakshana said the statistics were a clear reflection of the official apathy. “By depriving students of basic minimum facilities, which a school must have, the state government has made a mockery of the system,” he alleged. Commissioner Secretary, School Education Department, Farooq Ahmed Faktoo admitted that the SRO 123 was applicable to both government and private schools. “Principals of government schools have been asked to adhere to norms vis-à-vis physical infrastructure, while private schools have been given time to raise their infrastructure and facilities,” he said. He added that the department was contemplating bringing some modification in the SRO. Faktoo said a committee constituted by the Legislative Assembly also had recommended some modifications in the legislation. “We are working on it (for bringing some modifications in the Act,” he said. DISMAL SCENARIO Less than one per cent of government high schools in Jammu province fulfil conditions laid down under the Sadr-e-Riyasat Ordinance (SRO) 123 Only five out of total 641 government high schools in Jammu meet the criteria under the SRO 123 In an RTI reply, the School Education Department admitted that 412 government high schools in Jammu did not have a laboratory of specified dimensions and 498 high schools had no indoor games room 409 high schools have no library facility and 459 high schools are without a separate classroom for each section 305 high schools have no separate toilet and drinking water facility for students (boys and girls) 457 high schools are without assembly or examination halls. 322 high schools have no playground |
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Children with special needs to
get aid from foreign bodies
Srinagar, August 28 The UK-based Smile Train and the Sight Savers of New York have in principle agreed for a tie-up with the state government. These organisations will provide professional and funding support in detection and assessment of disabilities in school-going children (06-14 years), conduct of corrective surgeries and capacity development of special educators. This was stated here yesterday by the adviser of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Mohammad Rafi, while inaugurating a one-day workshop of DIET principals, district resource groups, special educators and field officials of the Education Department. He said 25 cases for cleft surgery -- 11 from Kupwara, 3 from Doda and 4 from Rajouri district --- had been identified, to begin with. Each such procedure would cost Rs 80,000. Likewise, for prevention and control of visual impairment in children, assessment and management camps were being organised at the district and zonal levels. Rafi said in the current Plan, the SSA would organise “exposure visits” for 100 children with special needs across the state. |
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Sarpanch shot at by militants in Pulwama
Pulwama, August 28 Police reports said the sarpanch of Gulab Bagh, Wanibatu, Awantipora, identified as Qutub-ud-din Shah, was at his home when some unidentified gunmen believed to be militants barged into his house. Reports said the incident took place around 8 pm. “Some militants barged into the house of the sarpanch, dragged him out and shot him,” the reports said. “Shah received injuries on his right leg. He was shifted to Bone and Joints Hospital, Srinagar.” A case has been registered at the Awantipora police station and a manhunt has been launched to nab the suspected militants. — OC
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government has shot down the request of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) which wanted to pull out nearly 2,000 men from the Valley for redeployment in Naxal-hit areas.
The transborder tunnel unearthed in Chechwal village of the Samba sector on July 28 is likely to have its starting point on the other side of the international border in Pakistan. The
BSF, which had started the digging work across the fencing four days ago, has managed to detect almost 35 metres of the tunnel so far and is trying to find out its “starting point”.
Ram Singh, a landless farmer in one of the most backward hamlets of Jammu district, regrets his father’s decision to take refuge in Jammu and Kashmir when communal violence broke out in West Pakistan during Partition in 1947. Like Ram Singh’s family, 25,262 other displaced families from West Pakistan have been struggling to get citizenship rights in Jammu and Kashmir. The socio-economic conditions of most of these refugees are deplorable.
Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today blamed the National Conference-led coalition for landing the state in its worst crisis on political and economic fronts.
The two discussed
matters of interest for promoting Indo-UK relations, an official said. Sir Bevan was accompanied by Alex Bamford, First Secretary, Political, British High Commission, New Delhi.