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BSF winter strategy aims at zero infiltration
Rights panel to investigate 1990 Gaw Kadal killings
Former Hizb chief out on bail
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Now, paramilitary aspirants can apply online
Pre-qualification criteria for hydro-power projects relaxed
Jawan injured in cross-border firing dies
Audit of MGNREGA works held in Budgam
2012 JAMMU& KASHMIR LOOKING BACK entertainment
Cong paying due attention to public issues: Soz
Audit of MGNREGA works held
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BSF winter strategy aims at zero infiltration
Jammu, December 26 During winter when snowfall plugs traditional routes of infiltration along the 776-km-long Line of Control (LoC) in the hilly and rugged terrain, Pakistan tries to push militants into the Jammu region from the international border. “This winter we have initiated some measures to ensure zero infiltration. Additional troops have been deployed in forward areas while more surveillance devices have also been installed, especially near water bodies along the international border where the fog is thicker,” said a senior BSF officer. Early warning devices have been placed in suspected areas and anti-fog equipment is also being used, he added. “Last winter, the fog along the border in the Jammu region was less but this year it’s more and hence we have made the requisite arrangements,” said the officer. He disclosed that inputs about the presence of militants on the other side of the border kept pouring in to the BSF. “Accordingly, we make manoeuvres but this year we are observing unusual activities on the other side of the international border in the “Chicken Neck” area of Pargwal Island, south of Akhnoor, and the Basantarpur river in Samba sector. We are maintaining constant surveillance,” he said. He, however, refused to divulge the number of militants on the other side of the border. “Our boys are fully alert to the situation and whosoever will try to cross the Zero Line will be dealt with sternly,” he added. As a part of the advanced border management, the BSF this year has been provided with more advanced gadgets. Night vision devices, thermal imagers and floodlights have been provided to the border guards to effectively man the border. |
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Rights panel to investigate 1990 Gaw Kadal killings
Srinagar, December 26 The probe would be conducted by an investigation wing of the SHRC, headed by an SP-rank police officer, who has been directed to furnish his report within two months. The directions were issued by a division bench of the Commission after admitting a petition filed by two human rights groups, the J-K International Forum for Justice and the Human Rights Forum J&K, early this year. On January 21, 1990, a peaceful demonstration of civilians, protesting against an alleged molestation by the security forces, was fired upon near the Gaw Kadal locality in Srinagar allegedly by the security forces, resulting in the death of 50 persons and injuries to several others. “The division bench of the SHRC, comprising JA Kawoos and Rafiq Fida, today ordered a special inquiry into the incident to be conducted by the SP of the Police Investigation Wing of the SHRC,” said human rights activist Ahsan Untoo, who heads the J-K International Forum for Justice. Untoo said the inquiry
officer has been asked by the Commission to submit the report within two months. The next hearing into the matter has been scheduled for February 26, 2013. In their petitions before the SHRC, the human rights groups had sought directions for constituting a team to investigate the 22-year-old incident. The petitioner groups had alleged that “for 22 years the government had not prosecuted any officer involved in the gruesome killings.” “So for, the government has not allowed any credible investigation into the incident. Instead, the police had filed an FIR in the Kral Khud police station under an FIR no. 3/90 against the protesters, accusing them of having attacked police and CRPF personnel. It had also recorded the death of only 22 persons in the FIR,” the petitioners submitted to the Commission. On July 7, the SHRC, while issuing notices to the official respondents, had sought reports from the Director General of Police and Deputy Development Commissioner, Srinagar, on the incident. However, despite eight successive hearings, the authorities concerned have failed to submit their responses to
the Commission. |
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Former Hizb chief out on bail
Srinagar, December 26 SP of the Srinagar Central Jail Mohammad Ayoub confirmed Dar’s release from the jail. Dar was released first time in the last four years. “We had received bail orders for him in all cases, so we released him. There were many cases against him,” the SP said. Dar’s lawyer said he was granted an interim bail and was detained by the Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK), Humhama unit, before being released on Tuesday. Once among the most wanted militants of Kashmir when insurgency erupted in the region in 1988, Dar founded the pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen in the early 1990s and became its first chief commander. Hizbul Mujahideen was then the largest and best equipped militant outfit operating in the region. Syed Salahuddin, the present Hizb chief, succeeded Dar as the head of the outfit in 1992. Dar, who was born in a north Kashmir village in 1961, was first arrested in 1988 but managed to escape while he was being treated at a hospital. He was arrested again in 1993 and released six years later in 1999. After his release, he again went underground and was rearrested in 2009 from north Kashmir’s Bandipora district. Before becoming a top militant commander, Dar was a teacher and later became popular with a nom de guerre of “master Ahsan Dar”. The former militant commander had in October told The Tribune that he was writing a book in prison. Then tentatively titled ‘Crisis in Command’, the book will be the first document of the Kashmir’s militant history, which began in 1988, when bomb attacks were carried out at several locations in the heart of Srinagar. |
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Now, paramilitary aspirants can apply online
Jammu, December 26 The interested candidates can seek information about the recruitment process from the district employment exchanges and fill their forms online at the community information centres (CIC). The state government has directed the Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir and the Deputy Commissioners and District Employment and Counselling Centres of all districts to facilitate the interested candidates in filling up of their forms. The candidates are advised to visit http://sscoline.nic.in and http://sscoline2.gov.in for detailed advertisement. Application forms are available since December 15, 2012. The last date for submission of forms for the candidates belonging to the state is January 18, 2013. The advertisement has been published in the Employment News/Rozgar Samachar issue of December 15, 2012, and is also available on the websites of the SSC http://ssc.nic.in and the General Administration Department www.jkgad.nic.in |
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Pre-qualification criteria for hydro-power projects relaxed
Jammu, December 26 The Hydel Policy provides for reservation of projects upto 10 MW for state residents. As per the JKSPDC, with a view to encourage the participation of permanent residents of the state in development of hydroelectric projects to realise the objectives of the state Hydel Policy to reserve projects upto 10 MW for the state residents, the Chief Minister had directed the JKSPDC to hold meetings with representatives of Chambers of Commerce and Industries and other stakeholders and get their inputs. Detailed interactions were held with the representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Srinagar and Jammu, Federation Chamber of Industry, Srinagar and Jammu, Self Help Group of Engineers and other stakeholders at Srinagar and Jammu. Based on the feedback generated during these meetings, the Chief Minister approved relaxation of the pre-qualification criteria for projects upto 10 MW. As per the modified criteria, entrepreneurs can now hire technical experts to guide them in construction of these projects and simultaneously meet the technical criteria stipulated for these projects. Since the state has enough engineers and experts, the entrepreneurs would find it easier to meet the technical criteria through their experience. This relaxation would also augment the government’s efforts in providing employment opportunities to qualified engineers in the state, besides accelerate the pace of development of hydel power generation. The modified eligibility criteria would essentially be the financial eligibility in terms of networth and annual turnover, which too has been reduced to Rs 0. 30 crore per MW and Rs 0.70 crore per MW, against the earlier stipulated Rs 0.50 crore per MW and Rs 1.20 crore per MW, respectively. Bidder would also have to undertake to place in position a strong technical team, comprising experts in civil, electrical and mechanical engineers, as per the manpower plan approved by the JKSPDC at the techno economic clearance of the detailed project reports. The relaxation of the pre-qualification criteria would be applicable only to projects upto 10 MW which are reserved for the state residents with the sole purpose of providing impetus to economic activity among local entrepreneurs, eventually translating into building their capacities in all aspects of hydro project development, including manufacture of electromechanical and construction equipment and technology. The relaxation in the criteria enabled removal of a major stumbling block experienced by the local residents while bidding for the projects already advertised by the JKSPDC under the new Hydel Policy. The Corporation is inviting bids for about 20 projects reserved for locals and it is expected that with the relaxed eligibility criteria, the local entrepreneurs shall participate in the bidding in a big way. |
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Gulmarg to come alive with sports activities in January
Srinagar, December 26 Nearly after a decade, school students from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand will fight it out for the National Junior Alpine skiing Cup to be held from January 26. The event is being organised by the Winter Games Federation of India in association with the Winter Sports Association of Kashmir at Gulmarg which boasts of the highest ski lift in the world and is situated at an altitude of 2,730 metres above sea level. The National Snowboarding and Cross Country championship will start in the first week of February and is being organised by the Winter Games Association of Kashmir in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, Gulmarg. Around 30 participant teams from all over the country have registered themselves for the event, which is the first of its kind event in the winter sports arena of the Valley. Winter Games Association of Kashmir president Farooq Shah said the winter sports carnival would stretch over two months and is aimed at invigorating the spirit of snow sports among people. “People from other states, who have only witnessed snowfall in movies, will get to live the thrilling experience during these championships. These events, which are carried out with the help of locals, would witness the participation of national and international sports celebrities,” Shah said. Taking a cue from European sports, indigenous adventure sportspersons have introduced various other forms of winter sports games this year such as snow rugby, snow football, snow baseball and snow cycling. “The rules and techniques are the same as in the normal forms of these games. We have just made these games lively by playing on snow. So far we have received tremendous response from local, national and even international sportspersons for their participation,” said Shabir Wani, general secretary of the Winter Sports Association, Kashmir. The winter calendar of the Department of Tourism is also full with winter sports activities and coaching camps that it is offering to locals and tourists. These include skating coaching camps, free of cost style skiing, ski touring and snow sculpting. Gulmarg, which is blessed with perfect slopes and terrains, is the most preferred destination for skiers and snowboarders worldwide, offering a platform to enjoy games which are rarely played in Asia. |
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Jawan injured in cross-border firing dies
Jammu, December 26 The deceased has been identified as Sepoy Rakesh Kumar of 37 Rashtriya Rifles. He belonged to Cirdhana village of Bilaspur district in Himachal Pardesh. The sepoy lost his life while foiling an infiltration attempt at Neelam post in the Balnoi Sector. He and his colleagues noticed a group of terrorists close to the LoC fence and opened fire on them, which resulted in the infiltrators fleeing back across the LoC. However, in the exchange of fire, the sepoy was hit by a bullet and succumbed to his injuries in 150 Military Hospital at Rajouri, the Army’s official release today stated. Lt Gen DS Hooda, GOC, 16 Corps, has expressed his deepest condolences to the family of Sepoy Rakesh Kumar, who is survived by his wife and a daughter.
Meanwhile, an Intelligence source divulged that the following the firing that resulted in the death of the soldier, the GOC, Romeo Force, Major General I Narayana, and the GOC, 25 Infantry Division, Major General VP Singh, today rushed to the Neelam post to take stock of the situation.
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Audit of MGNREGA works held in Budgam
Srinagar, December 26 Social auditing was conducted yesterday at Panchayat Halqa Buchroo in Chadoora tehsil of Budgam district. The Director, Social Audits, MGNREGA, Dr Abdul Gani Sofi, presided over the social audit. Speaking at the occasion, Sofi said the MGNREGA programme was aimed at generating employment opportunities as well as building infrastructure in rural areas. “MGNREGA is a people-friendly programme which needs to be carried out as per the wishes of the local public,” Sofi said. The Director told officers and field functionaries of the Rural Development Department to ensure transparency and timely completion of works under MGNREGA so that the benefit percolates to people at the grass-roots level. During the social audit, Dr Sofi interacted with various deputations and individuals and got the feedback about different works from them. Officers of the Rural Development Department, panches and sarpanches were also present on the occasion. |
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2012 JAMMU& KASHMIR LOOKING BACK entertainment
Srinagar, December 26 With the situation improved considerably, the locals gave the thumbs up to a handful of cultural activities that took place this year. A musical show, where youngsters groove to the tunes, may be a mundane event elsewhere. But at a place like Kashmir where youth mostly hit the national media headlines for stone-throwing, it is a major event. Scenes witnessed in June at Srinagar’s swankiest mall, Sangarmaal, where rock and other musical shows were held, said it all. A whole lot of youngsters, including those from downtown Srinagar, could be seen grooving till 10.30 pm. Not long ago, a walk on the deserted city roads after dusk was considered risky. At the same time efforts of youth endeavouring to carve out a niche through their artistic expressions too got a good audience. In April, also at Sangarmaal, a local rock band — Dying Breed — released its maiden album. They also rocked the audience, which was present in good numbers, with their performance on the occasion. Theatre-related activities, which were very popular before militancy, too are being organised once again. Theatre artiste Aamir Raza Husain performed a suspense thriller, “Murder”, here last month. It was well received by the audience and it was for the first time that renowned theatre artistes of international fame performed in the summer capital. Besides, well-known theatre personality Balwant Thakur's troupe Natrang held 20 shows across the Valley in an effort to revive “Band Peather” (folk theatre). Egged on by the response, he is now planning another series in the winter months. Thakur, who is also a former secretary of the J&K Cultural Academy, says entertainment avenues are much lesser in winter months and his group is now planning shows for a larger audience in Kashmir. The Kashmir Theatre Federation (KTF) is also mulling a major drama festival on World Theatre Day on March 27. Works released on the Internet too got many hits. Roushan Illahi, aka MC Kash, a rapping sensation, last month launched his debut album “Rebel RepubliK” marking a major milestone in the new-age music culture in the region. Roushan’s moment of fame had come during the 2010 street agitation when he released a song on the protests. The trailers of “Partaav”, Kashmir’s first 35 mm feature film by a young Kashmiri, Dilnawaz Muntazir, are a hit these days on the Net. The film is scheduled for national and international release next month. Kashmir is also looking forward to music director Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat’s composition that would recorded for the next season of MTV Coke Studio, which has revolutionised the folk music culture in the subcontinent by infusing the works of local artists with modern musical instruments and western genres. Bhat has chosen a popular folk song “Karsa myon nyai andey”, which he will be recording in “western style with a Kashmiri tinge”. Meanwhile, the holding of other events this year too sent a message that people here need leisure. The National Book Trust (NBT)-sponsored book fair, which was held here for the first time after 1986, drew crowds along with its interactive sessions between writers and students and mehfil-e-ghazal evenings. Besides, an exhibition — “Quest for the finest artist of Kashmir” — provided a platform for several young artists. And when the year ends with a New Year gala in Gulmarg ski resort, the “fun lovers” would be looking ahead for another peaceful year so that entertainment-related activities make a full-fledged comeback to Kashmir. Rockin’ events
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Cong paying due attention to public issues: Soz
Jammu, December 26 Addressing a function at Udhampur in connection with the first death anniversary of former minister Yash Paul Khajuria, Soz said, “The Panchayati Raj would be further strengthened so that the panchayats can play the desired role as expected from them.” He said a meeting of the Coordination Committee of the Congress and NC would be held soon to discuss Congress suggestions for the empowerment of the panchayats by incorporating the 73rd Amendment, the document regarding which has been finalised. “After this exercise is over, the Block Development Council elections would also be held,” he said. The JKPCC chief assured the panches and sarpanches that they would be provided an honorarium and an insurance cover and other things necessary for making the panchayats effective so that they can come up to the expectation of people. He told the panchayat representatives to fight against corruption and ensure that various Central and state sponsored schemes for the welfare of people are implemented properly at the grass-roots level. Minister for Public Enterprise Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Minister for Health Sham Lal Sharma, Dharam Pal Sharma, Thakur Hari Singh, Ravinder Sharma and MLA Indu Pawar spoke on the occasion. |
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Audit of MGNREGA works held
Srinagar, December 26 Social auditing was conducted yesterday at Panchayat Halqa Buchroo in Chadoora tehsil of Budgam district.
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The Border Security Force (BSF) has put in place a winter strategy all along the 192-km-long international border (IB) in the Jammu region to check armed militants.
Srinagar, December 26
