The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Pakistan opens heavy fire in Poonch Targets 5 Indian posts along LOC; Army registers strong protest with Pak Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, September 18 In a serious violation of the mutually brokered ceasefire agreement, Pakistani troops targeted five Indian forward posts with rockets and heavy machine gun fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Krishna Ghati (KG) sector of Poonch district late last night. The Indian Army, which has lodged a strong protest with the Pakistan army, described it as an “intense” violation. Around 10 pm yesterday, Pakistani troops fired LMG rounds, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and also opened heavy machine gun fire on five Indian forward posts of Dogra, Chajaman, Ghora, Kirpan and Kranti in the Nangi Tekri area, sources said. “Till 10.30 pm, the volume of fire was heavy and intense but after that both sides exchanged intermittent fire till 11.15 pm,” the sources said. Pakistani troops had opened fire from their Daku, Roza, Battal and Khair posts. Trouble erupted when Pakistani troops tried to push a group of around eight to 10 militants across the LoC into the Indian territory. During the exchange of fire between the two sides, Pakistani troops also provided cover fire to the ultras but Indian troops foiled their attempt to sneak into India, the sources added. A source in an Intelligence agency said Pakistan had moved several groups of terrorists in various launching pads near the LoC to try and push them into the Indian territory before the onset of winter, when snow plugs mountain passes. The area where Pakistan violated the truce deal last night is being manned by 3 Grenadiers under the command of the KG Brigade. A senior Army officer said, “From 10 pm to 11.15 pm yesterday, Pakistani troops targeted four to five Indian posts in the Nangi Tekri area of the KG sector compelling us to give them a calibrated response. “It was an intense kind of violation by them as they fired more than 2,500 rounds from automatic weapons. The volume of fire was heavy. However, there were no casualties or injuries to our troops.” “The firing by the Pakistan Army could be a part of its pre-winter strategy to try and push ultras to this side. It shows desperation on its part but we are alert to the situation,” said the officer. The Army for the past two years has been successful in maintaining zero infiltration along the LoC, south of the Pir Panjal range in the Jammu region. The officer, however, denied that there was any movement of militants on the other side of the LoC last night. “Though we lodged a strong protest via hotline with them but they were again in a denial mode and rather blamed us for starting the skirmish,” said the officer.
	Omar promises all help for return of Pandits to Valley Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 18 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said his government will do all that is possible to facilitate the return and rehabilitation of migrant Kashmiri Pandits. He described them as an integral part of society in the Valley, and said there was a need to create a conducive atmosphere for their return. “Till the return of migrants takes place smoothly, all facilities should be provided to them at the migrant township and other places in Jammu,” Omar said, maintaining that his government had already recommended to the Union Government the enhancement of cash assistance to the migrant families from the present Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 per family per month. “I will myself take up the issue with the Union Home Minister for an early action on the issue,” he said. Since some migrant families were wholly dependent on the relief, an early decision by the Central government on the issue was required, he said. Chairing the Apex Advisory Committee meeting of Kashmir migrants here today, the Chief Minister approved the plan for conversion of 588 one-room units at Purkhoo into two-room dwelling units to accommodate more deserving and needy migrant families. The Rs 8.43-crore plan was put forth by the Relief and Rehabilitation Department at the meeting. Speaking at the meeting, Minister for Revenue and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla said under the directions of the Chief Minister, the government had given its nod for relaxation of upper age limit by three years for Kashmiri migrants’ entry into government service as a one-time exception. He said ‘Kashmir darshan’ for school-going migrant children had been conducted from September 1 to 8. Fortyone boys and girls of migrant families who had not visited the Valley so far were taken on a tour to various parts of Kashmir. Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission Khem Lata Wakhoo, legislators Vijay Bakaya and Dharam Veer Singh and Chief Secretary Madhav Lal were among those who participated in the meeting.
	Kashmir shuts down over anti-Islam film Widespread protests held across Valley M Aamir Khan/TNS Srinagar, September 18 Normal life across the Kashmir valley remained disrupted today due to widespread protests amid a shutdown called by several separatist, religious and traders' organisations against making of an anti-Islam film. While most of the educational institutions, offices, banks and business establishments remained closed following the shutdown call of the Mutahida Ulmayee Aehlay Sunnah (MUAS), a conglomerate of several religious bodies, Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), separatist parties and the Kashmir High Court Bar Association, protests were held throughout the course of the day. A large number of protesters, who took out a procession from the old city, clashed with the police after it reached the Maulana Azad road near the Deputy Chief Minister's official residence. The protesters were disallowed to proceed further following which they resorted to stone-throwing and also torched a government vehicle. The police spokesman said the vehicle belonged to Kulgam Municipality. The police also fired several rounds of teargas shells to disperse the protesters, eyewitnesses said. However, the police spokesman dismissed reports that the official residence of the Deputy Chief Minister was specifically targeted, saying that only protests and stone-throwing against the film had taken place in the vicinity. The police termed other protests taken out across the Valley “peaceful”. The police spokesman said protests were taken out at Pampore, Lal Chowk, Anantnag and Pulwama in south Kashmir besides Nunar Gandarbal, Kangan and Chadoora in central Kashmir. Protests were also taken out at Langate Handwara in Kupwara district and Sheeri, Uri, Mir Gund and Pattan in north Kashmir. Elsewhere, the MUAS, led by chairman Maulana Ghulam Rasool Hami, began a procession towards the United Nations office at Sonwar here. The protesters burnt the US flag outside the office and later submitted a memorandum to the UN office. The memorandum demanded a complete ban on anti-Islam film "Innocence of Muslims" that had appeared on the Internet recently, said the MUAS spokesperson. Hami also urged New Delhi to apprise the UN about the sentiments of Muslims so that steps were taken to ban the controversial film. Kashmir's Grand Mufti Bashiruddin Ahmad claimed he was “not allowed” to take out a procession as he had yesterday said he would take out a march towards Lal Chowk.
	CIC meets Governor Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 18 Governor NN Vohra has expressed hope that constraints in enforcement of the Right to Information Act get resolved soon. The Governor stated this during a meeting with the State Chief Information Commissioner, GR Sufi at Raj Bhavan today. During the meeting, Sufi briefed Governor Vohra about the functioning of the State Information Commission to enhance accountability and encourage good governance. MLA Hakeem Mohammad Yasin also called on the Governor here today to discuss his concerns about the implementation of socio-economic development schemes and establishment of decentralised rural and urban self-governance institutions.
	J&K govt mulls selective security for village heads Sarpanches to get insurance risk cover; govt to pay premium Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, September 18 The state Rural Development Department (RDD) has finally requested the Home Department, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, for providing “selective security cover” to sarpanches and panches in “vulnerable” areas, following recent killings in Kashmir which had triggered a spate of resignations. The RDD has also decided to provide insurance cover to village heads so that their families are not left high and dry in case of any untoward incident. “The government is seriously contemplating giving security to sarpanches and panches, though selectively, in vulnerable areas. We have written to the Home Department to look into their security,” RDD secretary Farooq Peer told The Tribune. He said they had also met the Chief Minister and brought the matter to his notice. “The Chief Minister has shown seriousness to the issue and a final decision in this regard may be taken shortly,” Peer said. Seven sarpanches and panches have been killed since the 2011 polls in which over 33,000 grass-roots level representatives were elected after a gap of 30 years. On September 12, some unidentified militants had killed a sarpanch in north Kashmir’s Palhalan village. The militants had also issued threats to the elected people and asked them to resign from their posts. An investigation conducted by the department revealed that “rivalry at local level or personal vendetta” was the reason of most of these killings. “Some elements are trying to give an impression that the sarpanches and panches were targeted or killed by militants, which is not the case. Still, we have asked the Home Department to take necessary measures to ensure the security of sarpanches and panches,” said Peer. However, he said, the major problem before the government was the huge number of the elected representatives. “It will be an uphill task for the government to provide security cover to around 33,000 sarpanches and panches in the state. It is not possible to arrange individual security for all these people but the government can provide security selectively to village heads in vulnerable areas,” the RDD secretary said. Separatist hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani had condemned these killings, saying, “No person should be killed for his political ideology.” “We have asked the Life Insurance Corporation of India to formulate a good risk cover plan for them so that their families are paid substantial amount in case of any misfortune. The government is ready to pay either a part of or full amount of premium under the risk cover,” Peer said. ‘3 sarpanches have resigned so far’ Rubbishing media reports that around 500 sarpanches and panches had resigned following terror threats, the RDD has claimed that it received only three resignations till date. “We have received only three resignations. No other sarpanch or panch has submitted in writing his or her resignation till date. It would be wrong to speculate that hundreds of them have resigned from their post,” the RDD secretary said. He said there were set norms for tendering resignation from these posts. “A sarpanch or a panch needs to submit his resignation in writing to the village panchayat officer and he should appear in person for the same,” he said.
	Rajnath writes to PM on security cover for sarpanches Tribune News Service Jammu, September 18 The BJP has decided to take up the issue of killing of panchayat members in J-K at the national level. The decision of former national president of the party Rajnath Singh to write a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, demanding security for panchayat members, is an indication that the BJP has decided to rake up the issue to corner the Omar Abdullah government. By raising the issue, the BJP is also trying to target the coalition partner Congress. The killing of panchayat members by militants has triggered a spate of resignations from panches and sarpanches in many areas of the Kashmir valley. The sarpanches and panches elected in the panchayat poll last year have been targeted by terrorists, who do not want peace and normalcy to return in the Valley. After some panchayat members of the state approached the BJP leadership over their problems, Rajnath Singh today wrote a letter to the Prime Minister and sought security for the sarpanches and panches. “I would like to draw your attention towards the brutal killing of a sarpanch by terrorists in the Kashmir valley last week. Five other sarpanches and panches have been killed in several attacks carried out by extremists against people who participated in the historic panchayat elections held last year,” Rajnath Singh stated in his letter. “Vitiating the atmosphere in the Valley, these terrorists are putting pressure on peaceful citizens to quit the democratic stream. The state government has not been able to address the problems facing the panchayat members of the state and expressed its inability to provide security cover to them,” former BJP president mentioned in the letter. Keeping in view the demand of the panchayat members, Rajnath also mentioned that the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution was made to ensure the empowerment of Panchayati Raj institutions in India. He added that this Amendment brought greater autonomy to elected bodies at the grass-roots level but in Jammu and Kashmir, this Amendment was not applicable and the funds for panchayats were routed through the state government. “This has resulted in large-scale misappropriation of funds as the government lacks accountability and transparency in distribution of funds.” “If the Centre is committed to strengthening the Panchayati Raj institutions all over India then the 73rd Amendment should be applicable to Jammu and Kashmir as well. This step will give financial autonomy to panchayats in the state and also help them fight terror in the region,” Singh said. Meanwhile, the Jammu Kashmir Panchayat Conference, an organization of elected panches and sarpanches of the state, has welcomed the letter written by Rajnath to the Prime Minister regarding the plight of panchayats.
	Army exhibition displays hi-tech equipment Lt Gen Parnaik asks his men to keep pace with technology Tribune News Service Jammu, September 18 Northern Command GOC-in-C Lt General KT Parnaik today asked his force to have mental alacrity, spirit of innovation and out-of-the-box thinking in the era of technology transition. Addressing a gathering in Udhampur after inaugurating a two-day symposium-cum-exhibition, ‘North Tech 2012’, Lt General Parnaik emphasised the need for the Army personnel to be proactive in approach to increase their combat potential and military effectiveness. The Army commander lauded the wide participation by the industry for showcasing products with diverse technologies, which he said, would go a long way in equipping the Army and enhancing its operational efficiency. The exhibition is being organised under the aegis of the Northern Command Headquarters. The aim of the event is to provide Army units, maintenance agencies and industry an opportunity to exhibit their innovations and technical products at a common platform. The event saw the stakeholders discussing the usage of new technology to address various challenges during combat and solutions that could enhance the effectiveness of weapons. The symposium drew an overwhelming response from the leading industrial houses wherein vendors across a wide spectrum exhibited a large array of modern equipment, tools and test and diagnostic equipment.
	Rajouri DM seeks more time to file report on unmarked graves Ishfaq Tantry/TNS Srinagar, September 18 The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed Rajouri District Magistrate Saugat Biswas to his report on the presence of unmarked graves in his district till October 16. “The Rajouri DM has informally contacted the commission and sought more time. He has been directed to file his report till the next date, failing which he will have appear in person before the commission,” said the SHRC in its orders today. The Commission is hearing a petition related to presence of unmarked graves in Poonch and Rajouri. The human rights body had on August 14 given Biswas a three-week ultimatum to submit his report. The state government and police have already submitted their reports to the SHRC in this regard. During an earlier hearing, the SHRC had asked the government to carry out investigations about the presence of unmarked graves in Rajouri and Poonch. The directions had come after a rejoinder was submitted by the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons and the International Peoples Tribunal for Human Rights and Justice in Kashmir before the commission.
	kidnapping of six foreigners Rights panel issues summons to Punjab ex-DGP Ishfaq Tantry/TNS Srinagar, September 18 The Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has issued summons to former Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) PS Gill for failing to file his personal response in the kidnapping and disappearance of six foreigners from a Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir in 1995 by little known militant outfit Al-Faran. There are allegations against Gill, the then Kashmir Inspector General of Police, that he played a role in fudging the DNA samples which were taken to confirm the death of one of the slain foreign tourists. On the August 13th hearing, the SHRC had issued an independent communication to Gill asking him to file his response by the next date or be prepared to face adverse consequences. However, as the 1995 Al-Faran abductions case of foreign tourists came up for hearing before the Division Bench of the SHRC today, it was revealed that despite reminders, Gill had failed to file his response. “After hearing all the sides, the commission directed issuance of summons to PS Gill under Section 73 of the CrPC,” said advocate Parvez Imroz, who is representing two petitioner groups, which have been seeking re-investigation into the case, before the SHRC. The summons will be will be served on Gill through the concerned magistrate in Moga, Punjab. The SHRC also directed the Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, to file his report on the next date, failing which he will have to appear in person before the commission. The next date of hearing is on October 16. The International People's Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice and the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons had filed a joint petition before the SHRC on April 6 seeking a fresh probe into the case. The kidnappers had demanded the release of 21 people, including Maulana Masood Azhar, Sajjad Shahid Khan, alias Afghani, and Nasrullah Mansoor Langrial, alias Darwesh.
	Marshal Arjan Singh in Srinagar Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 18 Governor NN Vohra today received Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh at Raj Bhawan here today. During their meeting, the Governor and the Air Force Marshal discussed ways to tackle the emerging security challenges in the region, said an official spokesman. Marshal Arjan Singh, 93, was promoted to the rank in 2002. After the death of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw four years ago, Arjan Singh is the only living Indian military officer with the five-star rank.
	PDP wants recruitment drive in border areas Tribune News Service Jammu, September 18 The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded a special recruitment drive for unemployed youth of border areas. The party also demanded a comprehensive economic package for residents of border areas. While addressing a public meeting yesterday at the Rajpora area of the Hiranagar Assembly segment, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Sartaj Mandi said keeping in view the increasing unemployment among youth in this belt, a special recruitment drive was required. Senior PDP leader Madni, expressing his concern over the backwardness and under-development in backward areas, demanded that special attention should be paid for development of these areas. He reminded the border residents that the prevailing peace on the border from Kathua to Kargil was result of the pro-peace policies of the PDP.
	Court wants report on Major’s death by Oct 10 Ishfaq Tantry/TNS Srinagar, September 18 A Srinagar court has directed prosecution to produce the report of the Selma police, certifying Major Avtar Singh’s death in California, USA. The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Srinagar, Rajeev Gupta, who is hearing the Jaleel Andrabi custodial murder case, has given October 10 deadline to the prosecution to produce the copy of a report forwarded by California’s Selma police station to the United States National Central Bureau, Washington, certifying the Major’s death. “The court has directed the prosecution to produce the copy of the letter from the Selma police, verifying the death of accused Singh by or before October 10, the next date of hearing,” said Hafizullah Mir, who is representing Andrabi’s family in the case. The court has, however, not disposed of or passed any orders on the fresh application moved in by the family of slain human rights lawyer Jaleel Andrabi on September 15, wherein an autopsy report and other relevant documents related to Major Avtar Singh’s death in the US had been sought. In the application before the CJM, Jaleel’s family has also sought the autopsy reports of Singh’s family members, who were reportedly shot dead by Singh before killing himself. It has also sought the full investigation report and the report about the conclusion of the case prepared by the Selma police. On August 29, while accepting the email messages received from the Interpol, Washington, as authentication, the CJM court had directed the prosecution to get the original report from the Interpol regarding Avtar Singh’s suicidal death.