The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Ex-interlocutors in Jammu, to get feedback on report SP demands regional councils for Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, September 1 Two former interlocutors on J&K today reached Jammu to get feedback from a cross-section of society regarding the report, which they have already submitted to the Union Home Minister. Dilip Padgaonkar and Radha Kumar, who arrived in Jammu, will also convene a conference tomorrow to hold interactions with people from different shades to elicit their views on the report. During their stay at Jammu, the former interlocutors would meet some delegations and some important persons individually. They have earlier visited the Kashmir valley and held meetings with different people and members of different societies. They would submit a report containing their feedback to the Union Home Minister as the Ministry of Home Affairs has given a nod to them to hold meetings in Srinagar and Jammu and elicit peoples’ response to their report. As part of their fresh exercise, the interlocutors had reached Srinagar on August 29 and after completing their task there, they reached here this afternoon. State president of Samajwadi Party (SP) Sheikh Abdul Rehman and state president of Janta Dal (United) Indermohan Tar Singh met with the former interlocutors. Some members of their respective parties also accompanied both the leaders. Rehman, after meeting the former interlocutors, told The Tribune that they have demanded regional councils for Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh to fulfil aspirations of all the regions of the state. After meeting the former interlocutors, Indermohan Tar Singh told The Tribune said that their delegation has demanded separate statehood for Jammu and Kashmir regions and a Union Territory status for the Ladakh region. The delegation also highlighted demands of the refugees from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and demanded a one-time settlement of their problems. The Janta Dal delegation also highlighted the plight of West Pakistani refugees and demanded that citizenship rights should be given to these displaced people. Singh informed the former interlocutors that the problems of the West Pakistani refugees must be solved through human angle. The delegation also demanded ownership for those who have been living in the evacuee properties. For their workshop on Sunday, the former Interlocutors have extended an invitation to members of the civil society, leaders of all political parties, industry, business class etc. The BJP, National Panthers Party (NPP) and Jammu State Morcha (JSM) have already announced to boycott the former interlocutors. These parties have alleged that the former interlocutors have ignored the wishes and aspirations of the Jammu region in their report so there was no reason to meet them again.
	2 blocks identified for social audit under MGNREGA Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 1 The J&K Government has identified two blocks in the state for implementing the Social Audit Mechanism (SAM) on a pilot basis under the centrally sponsored Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The social auditing is aimed at brining transparency and accountability in the MGNERGA, which was introduced in the three districts of the state on a trial basis in February 2006. The scheme was later extended to all districts. “As per the Union ministry guidelines, we have identified two blocks - one in Baramulla and another in Jammu district - for implementing the pilot social auditing,” Commissioner Secretary Rural Development Department (RDD) Farooq Ahmad Peer said. “After learning from the twin blocks implementation, the project will be implemented in the whole state,” he added. According to the Rural Development Department officials, the social auditing would ensure direct benefits of the MGNREGA to the deserved persons in a transparent manner. “It would also ensure accountability,” said another officer. The government is also in the process of appointing an official as director of social audit. The Union Rural Development Department had even sought Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s personal support to facilitate social audit for MGNREGA - the flagship rural development scheme. “Given the magnitude and the reach of MGNREGA, putting in place a proper social accountability mechanism is to ensure that the benefits reach the targeted population fully,” Union Minister Jairam Ramesh had written in a letter to Omar. The beneficiaries, however, allege that the department was going at a snail’s pace while implementing these social audits.
	PM not involved in Coalgate scam, says Farooq Abdullah Bismah Malik Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 1 Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr Farooq Abdullah has said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should not resign on the BJP’s demand as he was not involved in the Coalgate scam. “Why should he resign? Manmohan Singh is ready to answer any question. It’s the BJP which doesn’t want to listen anything,” he said. Farooq welcomed the initiatives from India and Pakistan in taking the dialogue process forward and hoped that consistent talks process between the two countries could solve many long-pending issues, including the Kashmir issue. He said it was nice to see the heads of Pakistan and India sharing the same platform at the recently concluded NAM summit in Tehran. “People of Kashmir have been suffering due to the differences between the two countries. The countries should move forward and settle down all the issues, including Kashmir. The relations are improving, which is a good sign,” he said. Farooq said both the countries should also boost their trade relations with more confidence-building measures (CBMs) taken and opening bank branches. “It might take some time but solutions will be arrived at,” he added. Dr Farooq Abdullah inaugurated the ‘Night Post Office’, an initiative by the Department of Posts, J&K Circle, today in Srinagar.
	Geelani calls for shutdown on September 4 Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 1 Hardline Hurriyat has called for a shutdown on September 4 against the “politicisation” of Amarnath yatra, demanding that its duration and number of pilgrims be limited. The amalgam chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani also demanded that affairs of the pilgrimage should be handed over to local Kashmiri Hindus.
	Batote shopkeepers observe ‘NAGA’ on the last day of month RK Kichlu Batote, September 1 It was neither a bandh nor mourning yet the closure of shops at the main market of Batote town here on Friday gave it a deserted look and surprised all. The shopkeepers were observing ‘NAGA’ (weekly market closure day) on the last day of the month. “None of the shopkeepers except Joginder Singh observed a NAGA since it was ordered by the Assistant Labour Commissioner in 2005. So after more than four decades on Tuesday all shopkeepers unanimously agreed to observe a NAGA on the last day of every month on my initiative. However, chemists, PCOs, vegetables vendors, teastalls and restaurants have been exempted from it for the convenience of commuters and locals,” said Sanjay Gupta, president, Beopar Mandal, Batote. “There was a need for breaking monotony and rest for body and mind. The shopkeepers also felt the need to take out time for weekly outings with family, social functions, medical consultation and official work,” said Gupta. Batote, Pahalgam and Gulmarg were exempted from NAGA in 1963-64 by the government for the convenience of tourists and commuters. In 2002, a similar initiative by Sanjay’s father, Omprakash Gupta, the then Beopar Mandal president, failed due to non-cooperation of by shopkeepers. In 2005, the exemption was revoked by the government on the insistence of some young shopkeepers, who wanted to have a weekly off. It could also not be implemented in letter and in spirit as officials of the department concerned were allegedly ‘influenced’ by the shopkeepers.
	Militant killed in Ganderbal encounter Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 1 An unidentified militant was killed in an encounter between the security forces and militants in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. The encounter, which was continuing till the filing of the report, started at 3 am on Saturday after a joint team of the police and troops of 24 Rashtriya Rifles challenged a group of militants (reportedly comprising four to six) in the Chattergul forest area. “We had information about the presence of militants in the area. As we launched a search operation, the militants opened fire, which was retaliated and in the ensuing encounter one militant has been killed so far,” said a police officer. “The body of the militant has been retrieved and the search operation is still going on as we suspect more militants to be hiding in the forests,” he added. Army sources said intermittent firing in the forest was still going on, which indicated that few militants were still hiding in the forests. The sources said troops in the surrounding areas had also been put on alert to ensure that the militants do not manage to escape the cordon.
	19th bn of Rajputana Rifles celebrates golden jubilee Tribune News Service Jammu, September 1 The GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt Gen KT Parnaik, today asked the officers and soldiers of 19th battalion of Rajputana Rifles to uphold rich traditions of the battalion and keep doing their duties with utmost dedication. General Parnaik, who is also the Colonel of the Rajputana Rifles Regiment, attended the golden jubilee celebrations of the 19th battalion of Rajputana Rifles at Miran Sahib, near here today. The golden jubilee of 19th battalion is being celebrated from August 31 to September 2. He also laid a wreath at the war memorial. The celebrations began with customary festivities and all serving and retired officers, JCOs and soldiers of the battalion besides senior officers from the higher formations had also come from various places to attend the function. Earlier, on his arrival, General Parnaik was received by Col Deepak Pati, the Commanding Officer of the unit. A special guard of honour was given to him. Addressing the gathering, General Parnaik congratulated the battalion for completing 50 years of glorious service and sacrifice towards the nation. He also called upon all the ranks to uphold the rich traditions of the battalion. A barakhana was also organised to mark the occasion and facilitate interaction among the serving soldiers and the visiting ex-servicemen.
	NC-Cong coordination panel meeting held Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 1 To discuss various issues concerning the National Conference-led coalition government, a Coordination Committee meeting was held here today, in which senior Congress and National Conference leaders participated. The issues which came up for discussion during the meeting included holding of elections to the local bodies and filling of various vacant posts by different recruiting agencies. “The meeting discussed holding elections to the Block Development Councils and various Urban Local Bodies. In the meeting, it was urged that the elections to these bodies should be held as soon as possible,” sources within the coalition told The Tribune. The state government has already decided to hold elections to the Block Development Councils and the Urban Local Bodies by the year-end. In this regard, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already issued instructions to the Rural Development and Housing Department and the Urban Development Department to take necessary steps for conducting elections to the Block Development Councils and the Urban Local Bodies, respectively, by December. The Coordination Committee meeting, sources added, also urged that recruitment to various posts should be carried out by the Public Service Commission and other recruiting agencies without any delay. The Co-ordination Committee members, however, could not be reached for their comments. The meeting was attended by its head and Pradesh Congress president Saifuddin Soz, Deputy Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Tara Chand, senior NC leader and Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar, NC MLA Choudhary Ramzan and fomer Deputy Chief Minister and senior Congress leader from Jammu Pandit Mangat Ram Sharma. Points discussed Elections to the MCs and filling of vacant posts The state government has already decided to hold elections to the Block Development Councils and the Urban Local Bodies by the year-end
	Two held for pasting threatening posters Suhail A Shah Anantnag, September 1 The Shopian police yesterday arrested two youths allegedly involved in pasting posters threatening panchayat members across Shopian town with dire consequences if they didn’t not resign from their posts. The poster had surfaced in Shopian town on August 10. Police reports said a police party led by the DySP, Irshad Ahmad Rather and Imam Sahab, Shopian, conducted a raid on Friday evening and arrested the duo. The duo, suspected to be overground workers of the Lashkar-e-Alqaeda, have been identified as Aqib Rashid Paul (20) and Adil Rashid Koka (21), both residents of Dangerpora in Shopian. “The police has recovered copies of posters from the possession of the youths,” said the DySP. He said the youths were under police scrutiny for some time and the police managed to nab them on Friday.
	Separatists form new front Azhar Qadri Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 1 Several separatist leaders in Kashmir have announced the formation of an “alternate group” -Mutahidda Muzahmati Mahaz - which will fight to "determine the future" of Jammu and Kashmir, “as it existed on August 14, 1947”. The Mutahidda Muzahmati Mahaz, or United Resistance Front, will “struggle effectively” to enable the people of the state - as it existed on August 14, 1947 - to exercise their “inherent, internationally recognised and pledged right to determine future status of the state,” a statement by the group said.
	Pandits seek more cash relief Tribune News Service Jammu, September 1 The hunger strike of Kashmiri Pandit relief holders entered its 31st day yesterday. The relief holders sat on a hunger strike after the government failed to fulfil their demand of cash enhancement. Members of the Apex Committee under the chairmanship of MLC Vijay Bakaya met at the Relief Commissioner’s office where they decided to meet Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and apprise him of their long-pending demand. The relief holders alleged that even after two months of approval to recommendations of the Apex Committee regarding the revision of the Prime Minister’s relief and rehabilitation package and enhancement in cash relief to the Kashmiri Pandits, the government was yet to take any action. At a Cabinet meeting held in Srinagar on June 20, the revised Prime Minister’s package with enhanced incentives was sent to the Central government for approval. It included enhancement in cash relief up to Rs 10,000 and increase in the relief given to the families for construction of houses. Ravinder Koul, a relief holder, said, “The members of the Apex Committee have said they will raise the issue with the government and if the demands were not fulfilled soon they would resign from the Committee.”
	Ladakh Festival aimed at prolonging tourist season Yangchan Dolma Leh, September 1 An eight-day-long tourist promotional Ladakh Festival began with elaborate cultural celebrations at Leh today. The festival was inaugurated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The festival is being organised by the Tourism Department and is aimed at lengthening the tourism season in the region. A cultural procession was held at the inaugural function. Hundreds of artistes from various villages, who participated in the procession, gave a glimpse of the inherent diversity of the tradition and culture of Ladakh to the visiting tourists. Thousands of tourists both foreign and domestic witnessed the inaugural function. In his inaugural address, the Chief Minister appealed to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, to control the infrastructural development at the world famous Pangong Lake. He said during his recent private visit to the lake he had found a number of makeshift buildings and dhabas, many of which were named on the characters of Bollywood movie ‘3 Idiots’, which was shot at the Pangong Lake. He said the infrastructure was spoiling the natural beauty of the lake. Tourism and Cultural Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora while speaking at the inaugural function said the main objective of the Ladakh Festival was to lengthen the tourism season. He said tourists were visiting Ladakh even after the tourism season was over.
	130 Helicopter Unit remembers Wg Cdr Saksena Tribune News Service Jammu, September 1 The 130 Helicopter Unit, christened as “The Condors” - a frontline helicopter unit based at Air Force Station (AFS) Jammu - today paid rich tributes to the nine air warriors, including Wing Commander Sameer Saksena, who were recently killed in a copter crash in Jamnagar. During a recent air exercise at Jamnagar, nine air warriors lost their lives in a tragic air accident. Among those killed in harness was Wing Commander Sameer Saksena, a senior pilot of 130 Helicopter Unit, who was instrumental for many rescue and relief operations in J&K. A function was held at the AFS in which Air Commodore Nitin Sathe, Air Officer Commanding, AFS, Jammu, paid tributes to the valiant officer who made supreme sacrifices.