The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Pathribal fake encounter Victims’ families demand open trial in Kashmir Refuse to attend court martial proceedings at Nagrota Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 19 With the Army-initiated court martial proceedings slated to begin in the Pathribal fake encounter case on September 20 at Nagrota, families of the slain civilians have developed cold feet and decided not to attend the proceedings as witnesses. They have demanded an open trial of the case besides shifting the Bench to somewhere close to their homes in Kashmir. The Army authorities had summoned the family members of five civilians, who were killed in the fake encounter in 2000, for attending the case as witnesses at Nagrota on September 20. “We have decided not to attend the proceedings at Nagrota, which is located over 300 km away. My mother, who has been summoned, cannot go so far. She is frail,” said Rashid Khan. Rashid’s father Juma Khan, hailing from Brari Angan village in south Kashmir, was one of the persons killed in the fake encounter. “It has been almost 12 years since my father was killed in the fake encounter by the Army. Now, what material are they asking us to bring along with us after such a long time? That has already been handed over either to the state police or to the CBI that investigated the case,” Khan said, demanding that the authorities should hold open court martial proceedings in Kashmir. In the summons by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 16 Corps, Lt Gen AS Nandal, the families had been asked to attend the case as witnesses at Nagrota and bring all the relevant documents or material along with them. Another Shakoor Khan, who along with his aged mother has also been summoned by the Army to Nagrota on September 20, said they would also not be attending the proceedings. His father was also killed in the fake encounter. “Firstly, we don’t trust this trail. Secondly, it is difficult for us, especially my aged mother Roshan Jan, to travel to Nagrota. She is already a heart patient. So, all families have decided not to attend the proceedings at Nagrota in Jammu,” said Shakoor Khan, who is also demanding an open trial. Interestingly, the Army authorities have also summoned Faqirullah Khan and Amirullah Khan, fathers of two of the slain civilians, who had died years before the fake encounter in 2000. “They have summoned my grandfather as one of the witnesses. He had died almost 30 years before my father Juma Khan was killed in 2000,” Shakoor said. The relatives who have been summoned as witnesses also demanded security before proceeding to Nagrota. Case Recall Five civilians were abducted in May 2000 from their houses, days after 36 Sikhs were killed by unknown gunmen dressed up in Army fatigues in the Chattisinghpora area of south Kashmir Following the killings, the Army had claimed to have gunned down five Lashkar-e-Toiba militants in an encounter at Pathribal in south Kashmir. The Army had said the slain militants were responsible for the killing of Sikhs as Chattisinghpora A case was registered in February 2003. The CBI filed a charge sheet in 2006 against five Army personnel of 7 Rashtriya Rifles for abduction, murder and criminal conspiracy The accused are now being tried by the Army authorities and subjected to General Court Martial proceedings at the Nagrota-based 16 Corps
	J-K Cabinet condemns anti-Islam film Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 19 The state Cabinet has condemned the production and telecast of an anti-Islam film describing it an attempt to hurt the sentiments of people and disturb international peace. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today appealed to the people to maintain calm and not to get provoked as the perpetrators behind the anti-social and anti-human film “wanted to disturb peace and create disturbance”. Sharing the sentiments and concern of the people of Jammu and Kashmir over the making of the film, the Cabinet observed the act as provocative, unethical and against religious and human sentiments. The Cabinet met under the chairmanship of Omar here today. The Cabinet said the fringe elements behind the anti-Islam film wanted to create a divide in society and spread hatred. “People should see through the designs of such elements and remain calm while expressing their anger,” the Cabinet said. The Chief Minster showing serious concern over such attempts by vested interests to hurt the feelings and sentiments of people said such acts should be denounced and condemned by all.
	Boon for pilgrims: Train to Katra from March Devinder Thakur Katra, September 19 The Northern Railway has set March next year to be the revised target for the completion of the Udhampur-Katra rail link. The 25.2-km-rail link has been under construction since 2004 as high mountains and deep gorges slowed work and pushed deadlines. Ferozepur Divisional Rail Manager NK Goyal said, "Considerable work has been done for making the Udhampur-Katra railway sections operational by March next year.” Goyal was in Reasi on Tuesday along with Member of Parliament Choudhary Lal Singh to review the undergoing development work on the Udhampur-Katra-Srinagar rail project. India is currently constructing the 287-km-rail line to link the Kashmir Valley. The Udhampur-Katra section forms its first leg. Built by the Northern Railways, the Udhampur-Katra section was cleared by the Cabinet committee in 1994-95 and initial deadline for completion of the project was March 2005. Although just 25.2 km in length, the Udhampur-Katra rail link has 29 minor bridges and 9 major bridges, including 85-m-high and 154-m-high single span steel girdle-bridge. The track also consists of seven tunnels with a total length of 10.9 km (40 per cent of the total length), with the longest tunnel being 3.18 km. The train will halt at three stations on the rail link. Problems with the tract arose as soon as the tunnels were completed. One of its main tunnels started sinking at about 800 m and three more tunnels experienced severe water seepage problem, forcing the authorities to temporarily abandon the work. The Northern Railways later engaged an Austrian firm Geo Consult International (GCI) to save the tunnels. GCI is also involved in designing a railway tunnel in the Pir Panchal mountains in Jammu and Kashmir. The Railways later constructed a diversion tunnel and worked overtime to stem the problem of water seepage. At present, three main work components remain unfinished on the track, which include completion of 1.8-km-long diversion of tunnel No.1, de-watering arrangements in tunnel No.3 and laying of ballasts. “The works on tunnel No.1 and tunnel No.3 will be completed by December. With the completion of other works, the section would have trains running by March,” Goyal said. Modern technology and geographical studies are being utilised to make these tunnels viable and dependable. Katra town in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir is the base camp for pilgrims to the Vaishno Devi shrine. Over 10 million devotees pay obeisance every year at the shrine. At present, Katra is linked to the rest of the country by roadways and an airport in Jammu city. With the inauguration of the Udhampur-Katra rail link, pilgrims will be able to travel directly to Katra giving a boost to the local economy and providing comfortable transport facility to pilgrims. The rail link The 25.2-km-long Udhampur-Katra rail link has 29 minor bridges and 9 major bridges The track also consists of seven tunnels with a total length of 10.9 km At present, diversion of tunnel No.1, de-watering arrangements in tunnel No.3 and laying of ballasts is incomplete
	Finally, two CRPF battalions from J-K head for Assam Ravi Krishnan Khajuria/TNS Jammu, September 19 Finally, after a year the decks have been cleared, for shifting two CRPF battalions (2,302 personnel) from Jammu and Kashmir to Kokrajhar in Assam. While half of the Kashmir-based 129 Battalion has already left for Kokrajhar, a couple of days ago CRPF IG (Jammu region) GJ Singh issued orders to also shift the Jammu-based 152 Battalion to Kokrajhar, said a senior CRPF officer. The two battalions were orginally scheduled to be shifted early last year but the state government had not relieved them. This year the government cited the Amarnath yatra as a reason to retain them, he added. The Union Home Ministry had asked the state government to relieve the two battalions immediately after the Amarnath yatra this year, which had concluded on August 2. A couple of days ago, the CRPF IG had issued orders for moving the 152 Battalion to Kokrajhar. The battalion is yet to move, said the officer. The CRPF IG had written a letter to IGP (Jammu zone) Dilbag Singh, asking him to relieve the 152 Battalion from Jammu at the earliest, he added. “For the past one year, the Union Home Ministry had been asking the state government to relieve two CRPF battalions, one each from the Kashmir and Jammu regions,” said a CRPF source. The CRPF battalions had to be relieved early last year following a decline in insurgency and improvement in law and order situation in the state. “It seems the state government has no concrete plan to replace the CRPF and that is why our personnel continue to perform even tasks like protecting prisons, temples and shrines, which are not part of the CRPF duty profile,” said the officer.
	Govt vehicle set ablaze: Police identifies nine youths Azhar Qadri/TNS Srinagar, September 19 The police has identified nine youths who set ablaze a government vehicle yesterday outside the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand in the city here during a protest over the making of an anti-Islam film. A senior police officer said nine youths had been identified for setting ablaze a Gypsy which belonged to the Municipality Department of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district. “We are identifying the people. So far we have identified nine of them,” a senior police officer told The Tribune on condition of anonymity. He said no arrests have been made as the police was waiting for tempers to cool down before launching its operations. “The situation is still tense, so we have not made any arrests yet,” the officer said. The state has already requested the Union Home Ministry to block access to the film, fearing the film could lead to deterioration in the law and order in the state.
	Modalities being worked out to fund panchayats Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, September 19 The cash-strapped Omar Abdullah government has started the process of providing financial assistance to over 33,000 elected sarpanches and panches in the state. The state Finance Department is working out the modalities vis-à-vis the amount to be paid to the elected persons and financial implications of the plan. Official sources said the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj has drafted a comprehensive proposal for financial assistance to the panchayat members. “The proposal has been submitted to the Finance Department which is working out the modalities for its implementation. The proposal will put an extra burden of Rs 40 crore on the state exchequer annually,” an official of the the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj said. The official said the rural and finance departments were working in close coordination to finalise a “feasible and practical” proposal. “Earlier, the department was contemplating to introduce the model of financial assistance to sarpanches and panches on the pattern of Himachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister, however, has directed both the departments to study the models of three other neighbouring states so that a comprehensive and practical plan is worked out and finalised,” the official said. The Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj has proposed to pay just “sitting fee” (anything between Rs 150 to Rs 200 per meeting) to panches, while it has recommended for paying a “suitable” stipend to sarpanches. The financial assistance was one of the major demands of the sarpanches and panches elected in 2011 panchayat elections, held after a gap of 30 years. Other demands of the panchayat members include the implementation of the 73rd amendment to Indian Constitution in the J&K Panchayati Raj Act and security for them in the militancy-affected areas. A tussle is also on between local MLAs and sarpanches over the power-sharing mechanism. Anil Sharma, general secretary, All-Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Coordination Committee, said the government should pay “respectable amount” to the panchayat members as they were performing their jobs well despite financial constraints. “If the government is considering our demand for remuneration, it should be a respectable and dignified assistance keeping in view the nature of our job, status and expenditure in performing our duties,” Sharma said. Financial assistance The Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj has proposed to pay just “sitting fee” (between Rs 150 to Rs 200 per meeting) to panches, while it has recommended a “suitable” stipend to sarpanches The proposal for financial assistance to the panchayat members has been submitted to the Finance Department The proposal will put an extra burden of Rs 40 crore on the state exchequer annually.
	Army mela begins at Nowshera Tribune News Service Jammu, September 19 The Army mela was inaugurated by Lt Gen KT Parnaik, GOC-in-C, Northern Command, at Nowshera today. The spectacular show had all the tenets of a blockbuster film with its aspects of thrill, adventure, entertainment, information and assistance stalls. Senior Army and civilian dignitaries addressed the gathering on the inaugural day. The venue has been revamped to house a schematic layout of weapons and equipment and information stalls for retired ex-Servicemen and for local youth. NCC cadets, schoolchildren, women and armymen were enthralled by mesmerising entertainment programme put by soldiers decked up in traditional attires. The Bhangra and Naga dances, dare devilry of the para-jumping team and dog and horse shows kept the crowd on their toes. Tributes were paid at the event to decorated martyrs and the Veer Naris were felicitated. Madhu Nandal, Regional Director, AWWA, White Knight Corps, interacted with the Veer Naris and shared their experiences and concerns. Modified scooters were presented to the jawans who lost their limbs in the line of duty. Information stalls like Pension Adalat, records, re-settlement/ relief/ rehabilitation, free medical camp, housing scheme, Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme and Rajya/Kendriya Sainik Board catered to the problems of ex-Servicemen.
	Security situation fragile in JK, says Lt Gen Parnaik Ranjit Thakur Rajouri, September 19 The security situation in Jammu and Kashmir is passing through a sensitive stage, said Lt General KT Parnaik, General Officer Commanding-In-Chief, Northern Command, while addressing a press conference along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera on the sidelines of the Army Mela. “The security situation is fragile and subjected to triggers. I would say it is going through a transformation. We are transforming from higher intensity proxy war to lower levels of violence,” Parnaik told reporters. He said though infiltration attempts made along the LoC were mostly foiled, but some are successful. “Some militants have entered the state, who are targeting our police, sarpanches and civilians. We need to sensitise the area and trace the militants,” Parnaik said. Parnaik said, “We have eliminated 44 terrorists and held 24 others in this year.” Ruling out any threat from China, Parnaik said the situation along the Sino-Indian border in the Ladakh sector was calm and there was no need to worry.
	BJYM targets PM over coal scam Tribune News Service Jammu, September 19 As part of its nation-wide campaign against illegal allocation of coal mines, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) --- the youth wing of the BJP --- today moved an application at the Jammu police station seeking registration of an FIR against the Prime Minister. Before submitting the application, the BJYM activists took out a procession which passed through different parts of the city before reaching the Pacca Danga police station. Although the application moved by the BJYM activists under the leadership of state president Munish Sharma was received by the police, policemen ruled out any further action on the application. “It is not under our purview to act on the application moved by BJYM activists,” a police officer who received the application said. The BJYM in its application pointed out that the report of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had revealed that 142 coal blocks were allotted arbitrarily which resulted in a loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crore to the government exchequer. “It is clear from the report that the entire procedure in the allotment of coal blocks was faulty”, the application stated. “The policy of allotment of coal blocks on competitive bids was formulated on June 28, 2004. It was implemented on February 2, 2012, by issuing a notification only. More than eight years were wasted on implementing this policy in order to arbitrarily select 142 entrepreneurs. During the eight years, 142 coal blocks were allotted to private entrepreneurs and most of them were businessmen and not actual users,” BJYM alleged in the application. “Out of this period of eight years, the Prime Minister himself was a coal minister for five years from July 24, 2004, to May 2009. “The Prime Minister is responsible for the loss due to the political and administrative mess as well as the muddle done at his end,” the BJYM alleged in the application. The party requested for the registration of a case under the relevant sections against the Prime Minister.
	plane hijack JK police to leave for Nepal to trace missing links Ravi Krishnan Khajuria/TNS Jammu, September 19 Even as the NIA and the CBI teams returned to Delhi yesterday, the Jammu and Kashmir Police is busy scanning the hazy past of Mehraj-ud-Din Dand, the suspected hijacker of the Kandahar plane. The police has decided to send its teams to Nepal, Delhi, Bangalore and Punjab to find out missing links in various cases involving Dand. “We are scanning old cases registered against Dand and looking into evidences before filing a detailed chargesheet against him,” said Garib Dass, DIG, Doda-Ramban-Kishtwar range. “Dand certainly had a major role in the Kandahar plane hijack. Apart from his involvement in the plane hijack, we are verifying about his involvement in other anti-national activities, including bomb blasts at various places across the country,” said Dass. Kishtwar SP Bhim Sen Tutti said the NIA and the CBI teams left yesterday for Delhi after questioning Dand. “But our investigations are on. Dand is with us till September 22,” said Tutti.
	Court acquits accused in 2003 accident case DS Chauhan Jammu, September 19 Kathua Principal Sessions Judge MK Hanjura allowed an appeal against the conviction and sentence of appellant Ritesh Kumar, alias Bittu, and set-aside the sentence awarded by the trial court, thereby, acquitting the accused from the charges levelled against him in an accident case of 2003 in which the then Principal District & Sessions Judge, Kathua, was killed. Hanjura also directed the Senior Superintendent of Police, Kathua, to initiate proceedings against the Investigating Officer. He said, “The link of the appellant has not been established with the crime. He has not been identified as the person who was driving the vehicle and cannot be said to have committed the crime.”