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Qazigund to Banihal in 30 minutes; trial run a success
Anti-graft panel begins inquiry into ex-Health Minister’s assets
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Mirwaiz sees united Kashmir, border becoming irrelevant
Moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwiaz Umar Farooq delivers a speech at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar on Friday. Tribune photo: Amin War
More facilities proposed for Vaishno Devi pilgrims
Governor NN Vohra chairs the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board meeting at Raj Bhawan in Jammu on Thursday. A Tribune photograph
LOOKING BACK 2012
SHRC notice to DGP, DCs of Baramulla, Bandipore
On foundation day, Cong vows to form govt on its own in 2014
Political adviser for transfer of technology from lab to land
15-year jail, fine for drug smuggler
Now, hiring ponywallahs gets costlier
Seminar on human rights
HC quashes detention order of PoK national
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Qazigund to Banihal in 30 minutes; trial run a success
The successful trial run was held a day after it was postponed due to protest demonstrations by villagers of nearby hamlets, who were demanding a railway station and jobs from the Railways. Trains will operate on the stretch, which includes the 11-km-long India’s longest and Asia’s second longest tunnel, by April next year. Qazigund, about 100 km from here, is the gateway to Kashmir. “The rail trial run from Qazigund to Banihal was completed in 30 minutes,” said the Project Manager of Pir Panjal Tunnel Project of Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), Sharanappa Yalal. “It took 20 minutes to cover the 11 km Pir Panjal tunnel. The train also returned from Banihal,” he added. He said the trial run started around 12.30 pm from Qazigund and many officials were present during the trial. “It is a big leap forward. The Pir Panjal tunnel is a major part of the Udhampur-Srinagar- Baramulla rail line project which has been constructed in the rugged terrain of the Pir Panjal pass in the state,” Yalal added. The trial run, officials said, was witnessed by dozens of villagers, who applauded the Railways for starting the train. “However, it will not be before April that the train will begin to chug between Qazigund and Banihal,” Yalal said. The HCC official said a committee had been constituted by the government to look into the demands made by the residents of Humu village, who had stopped the trial run yesterday. “The committee will look into all their demands,” he said. The protesting locals had blocked the railway track on Thursday and threatened that unless their demands were fulfilled, they would not let the railway authorities run the service. However, after negotiations, the villagers allowed the trial run today. Rail Trail The 11-km-long Pir Panjal tunnel has linked Banihal town with the Kashmir valley. However, trains from Kashmir will still not be able to reach other parts of the country as an important railway stretch between Udhampur and Banihal is still under construction. This portion is likely to be completed by 2017. Currently, the trains in Kashmir ply between Qazigund and Baramulla.
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Anti-graft panel begins inquiry into ex-Health Minister’s assets
Jammu, December 28 The former minister, who is the sole trustee of Bhagat Chajju Ram Charitable Trust, is alleged to have purchased a piece of land measuring 7.9 kanals from the Jammu Development Authority for Rs 39.50 lakh in 2007 and the amount paid for the land had
not come from any lawful source. Suman Lata Bhagat, however, claims the trust had raised 80 per cent of the said amount from loans but the person or the institution from whom the loan was taken has not been disclosed. Also in 2010, as per the balance sheet of the said minister, she had purchased some land but from whom the land was purchased and for what purpose, has not been
disclosed. Also, Neeraj Behal, the son of Suman Lata Bhagat, has purchased a piece of land for more than Rs 1 crore and the money had allegedly come from unlawful sources. She is also alleged to have encroached upon and purchased more than 400 kanals of land, out of
which some land is in the name of her son Vikas Behal. The former minister, while denying the allegation, has said some
land had been purchased by the trust but she did not disclose the sources
from where the money came. The commission, after finding the allegations valid, has registered a complaint for regular inquiry under Section 13
of the J&K State Accountability Commission Act, 2002.
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Mirwaiz sees united Kashmir, border becoming irrelevant
Srinagar, December 28 He was sharing details of his Pakistan visit during his Friday sermon at the Grand Mosque in Srinagar today. During their stay in Pakistan, the Hurriyat delegation held wide-ranging discussions with Pakistani leaders over Kashmir and the impact of withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan on the regional geo-politics. “We are not against Indo-Pak friendship, but this won’t materialise if the Kashmir dispute remains unresolved,” Mirwaiz said, adding that for “economic stability or prosperity” in the region, political stability is a “prelude”. He said that during the Pakistan visit, the Hurriyat delegation felt that “the Afghan issue is not being seen in isolation now”. “Its stability will be linked with the resolution of the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan”. Mirwaiz said during their visit to the neighbouring country, the delegation talked to “almost all sections of the Pakistan society which matter”. Mirwaiz said in the near future the Hurriyat foresaw unification of both parts
of Kashmir. “We feel that in the days ahead, this line (LoC) will vanish and there will be rail, road and air links established between the two parts,” Mirwaiz said. Demanding that the existing permit system for travel should be abolished and Kashmiris allowed to travel on their identity cards across the LoC, Mirwaiz termed Hurriyat’s Pakistan visit a beginning of the process of continuous engagement. Mirwaiz said the Hurriyat was “not averse” to talks with India even as he demanded that New Delhi should show “flexibility in its attitude towards Kashmiris”. “Pakistan feels that both countries need to sit together and talk. But India too will have to show flexibility. It cannot suppress the aspirations of Kashmiris by force,” Mirwaiz said, adding that India should change its policy and thinking on Kashmir. “We are ready for a positive and constructive engagement with New Delhi, but for that things on the ground will have to improve in Kashmir. India needs to make the atmosphere conducive for such talks,” Mirwaiz said. The Hurriyat leader claimed that the delegation tried to ensure that every political party in Pakistan would include Kashmir in its election manifesto.
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More facilities proposed for Vaishno Devi pilgrims
Jammu, December 28 While approving the approach being followed to select a suitable partner to operate Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, Katra, as a multi-specialty hospital, the Board reiterated its principle direction that the facilities being provided for the pilgrims should be constantly reviewed and enlarged. The Board also approved the chairman’s decision for Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (a joint-venture of Government of India and Government of Uttar Pradesh) to prepare a detailed project for the stabilisation of Trikuta mountain slopes to prevent stones from falling and landslides, which cause injuries to pilgrims. The Board approved five vulnerable sites to be treated in the first phase to prevent “shooting stones”. It also approved the installation of a multi-purpose audio system along the entire track from Banganga to Bhawan to enhance the ambience and facilities for the pilgrims. The Board was informed about the high priority being given to improve infrastructure for the yatra, keeping in view the progressively increasing strength of the pilgrimage, which crossed the 1-crore mark last year. In this context, the Board was informed that works worth over Rs 100 crore were under implementation, including projects like Kalika Dham at Jammu, Aashirvad Complex at Katra, Parvati Complex at Bhawan, and Pony Shed at Bhawan. To meet the projected increase in pressure on facilities consequent to the opening of railway link to Katra, the chairman has already directed the implementation of a number of activities. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) informed about the action initiated in this regard for creating more locker facilities, augmenting and upgrading of toilet complexes along the track and time-bound completion of the 7.4-km dedicated mule track between Katra and Adhkuwari. While reviewing the progress of an emergency helipad at Panchhi, non-conventional energy projects at various locations, and the afforestation work carried out in the Shrine area, the Governor referred to the continuing focus on improving and conserving the environment, including greening of the Trikuta Hills through continuous plantation activities. To mark its silver jubilee celebrations, the Board also approved a proposal to adopt girls born (between 30-08-2011 and 30-08-2012) in the families of Board’s employees residing in the areas surrounding the Shrine and educate them on an assured basis. This scheme shall be over and above the existing scheme to provide financial assistance for the education of children of Baridar families. The Board endorsed Dr Bloeria’s recommendations regarding improvement of health facilities along the track, including addition of two new dispensaries. On the anvil
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LOOKING BACK 2012
Srinagar, December 28 For the first time in the two-decade-long militancy, this year the number of militants killed has been brought down from three-digit number. In 2012 (till December 15), 61 militants were killed in the state and most of them were foreigners. Those killed this year include top militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad militant organisations. Though the security forces managed to neutralise many militants this year, many more continue to elude the security forces. The J&K Police has put the number of militants still active in the state between 230 and 250. This year, except for the killing of two panchayat members and a few encounters, Kashmir analysts say, it was one of the most peaceful years since the eruption of militancy. “There were many encounters between militants and security forces, but these encounters had no bearing on the larger situation of the state,” said Riyaz Ahmed, a political analyst. However, the J&K Police had to face major embarrassment when it arrested four of its policemen from the intelligence wing who had turned rogue and were “planning to orchestrate militant strikes” to create a chaos in the state. Even as the investigation continued to ascertain the exact role of the four arrested policemen, there was another shocker for the police and the security agencies. A J-K police constable, Abdul Rashid Shigan, was arrested for alleged being involved in 13 major incidents of violence in Srinagar which included the killing of a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, an assassination attempt on Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar and an attack on a CRPF patrol. While the situation remained by and large peaceful, the infiltration attempts by the militants continued. The police maintains that nearly 250 infiltration attempts were made this year, but the Army puts the number to a much higher level. “There is some discrepancy between the number at the local formations of the Army together with the J&K Police and the number that the Army Headquarters has taken to the Multi Agency Centre (MAC). The number taken to the MAC is on a higher side and our estimate is lower,” the Chief Minister had recently said. While the infiltration continued, the calm on Kashmir borders was broken when Pakistani soldiers opened heavy fire on the Line of Control in the Uri sector which left three civilians dead on October 16. The Pakistan army has been regularly violating the ceasefire in the Jammu region. Besides, in July this year, a 400-metre-long underground tunnel was discovered near the border post at Chilyari in Samba district of the Jammu region and security agencies had said it was meant to infiltrate militants. This year while the security agencies were not involved in any major controversy, the killing of a civilian by the Army in north Kashmir’s Bandipore sparked protests in the town. While 2012 was relatively calm, it does not mean that all is well in Kashmir. The emerging trend of many young stone-throwers taking to arms is cause for concern. However, analysts and keen Kashmirs watchers expect 2013. “Pakistan is going to the polls next year. In 2014, elections are also scheduled in Kashmir as well as the rest of India. This will have a bearing on the situation on the ground in Kashmir,” Riyaz said, adding that the 2014 scheduled withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan will also have an impact on the overall situation. Militancy ebbs
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SHRC notice to DGP, DCs of Baramulla, Bandipore
Srinagar, December 28 On August 30, the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) had submitted a petition along with a list of 507 cases of “forced or involuntary” disappearances from Baramulla and Bandipore districts before the SHRC. In the petition, the association had requested the commission to conduct a thorough investigation to know the whereabouts of all those disappeared persons. “The case has been admitted by the Commission and the notices were issued to the DGP of Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Deputy Commissioners of Baramulla and Bandipore districts today to furnish their reports regarding the disappearance of these 507 persons”, APDP spokeswoman Tahira Begum said. Observing that the “case is of sensitive nature”, the SHRC has put off the matter for further consideration on February 12, 2013. Out of 507 cases submitted to the SHRC, 369 cases pertain to Baramulla district whereas 138 cases are from Bandipore. The APDP and other rights groups working in Kashmir claim that over 8,000 persons in the state were subjected to forced disappearance by security forces and militants since 1989. It was also submitted in the petition that the families of the victims “want to know whether their loved ones are dead or alive”. “If the disappeared persons are still alive, their families want the government to disclose their whereabouts. If they are dead, the families want the government to identify the graves of these persons,” the petition said. The APDP had demanded that those involved in the crime of disappearances should be prosecuted. Earlier on December 10, 2011, the APDP had submitted 132 cases of enforced disappearances from the Banihal area to the SHRC. It had urged the SHRC to investigate the causes and circumstances which led to the disappearance of these persons from Banihal. The APDP had submitted to the Commission that the family members of these victims were willing to cooperate for DNA tests for locating their “dear ones.” “We believe that the DNA tests of all the unmarked graves should be carried out first and only after that family members of the disappeared persons should be asked to give DNA samples”, APDP spokeswoman Hajira said. The case
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On foundation day, Cong vows to form govt on its own in 2014
Jammu December 28 Although senior leaders present at the function avoided making claims of forming the Congress government in the state, party’s lower-rung leaders and workers availed the opportunity to stake claim that the Congress would form the government in the state without the support of any other party after the next Assembly elections. Party leaders said the Congress has made
inroads into all the three regions, namely Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, and it would not be difficult to secure adequate number
of seats in the next Assembly elections. In the presence of senior leaders, who were present at the foundation day function, the party workers cautioned the high command against entering into an alliance with coalition partner National Conference in the next Assembly elections. They said alliance with the National Conference would prove disastrous for the party in the state. Sources in the party said it was on the directions of senior leaders that the lower-rung leaders and party workers have stepped up campaign against the alliance with the National Conference in the next Assembly elections. Last week, former minister and AICC member Abdul Gani Vakil had said the Congress would make every effort to form the next government on its own as the people of the state were interested in a one-party rule in order to avoid uncertainty. Senior leaders threw light on the history of the party and its contribution and sacrifices in the freedom of the country and achievements towards nation building in the post-Independence period. “During the 127 years of the service to the nation, the Congress remained committed to the principle of secularism and socialism for strengthening the unity and integrity of the nation”, said Dharam Pal Sharma, senior vice-president of the Jammu and KashmirPradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC). Thakur Hari Singh, Ravinder Sharma, MLC and spokesman of the JKPCC, ex-minister Mula Ram, Indu Pawar, MLA and president of the Mahila Congress, were among those who spoke on the occasion. |
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Women hit streets, call for saving girl child
Srinagar, December 28 During the ongoing “Save the Girl Child Week”, which began on December 24 and will conclude on December 29, women took it upon themselves to educate and sensitise the masses on the importance of filling the void created by the declining number of females in the state. In addition to the falling child sex ratio, the overall female to male ratio also saw a steep decline from 900 females per 1,000 males in 2001 to 883 females per 1,000 males in 2011. Massive public awareness rallies are being organised by the state Health Department in conjunction with the National Rural Health Mission in Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama and Baramulla districts. Housewives, students, doctors and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) participated in the awareness drives, appealing to people to come forward and expose those who are responsible for this punishable act. The state government last month gave more teeth to the existing Pre-conception and Pre-Natal Sex Selection and Determination (Prohibition and Regulation) Act. Anybody found running unregistered clinics would be imprisoned for three years and fined up to Rs 50,000. Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma had admitted that initiatives by the state government alone would not be enough to spread awareness about the declining female sex ratio in the state. Despite measures, Health Department officials admit that there has been an increase in the number of female foeticide and illegal sex determination cases, which were registered with the Health Department, particularly in rural areas. A recent case of the death of a mother-child duo at an unregistered maternity clinic allegedly run by a high profile politician in Bandipora district is the tip of an iceberg, according to the health authorities. “I am not ruling out the possibility of such illegal clinics being run in the city and outskirts, but these criminals are ironically doctors who do not care about telling patients the effects of such acts on society. We appreciate the role played by women in raising awareness on the issue,” said Dr Dildar, Chief Medical Officer, Srinagar.
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Political adviser for transfer of technology from lab to land
Jammu, December 28 Rana, who was speaking after inaugurating an agricultural mela in the Agore area of the Nagrota constituency today, said modern farming techniques were being encouraged in fields and farmers were being trained and educated to introduce these techniques for raising the per-hectare production and productivity. He said farmers’ training camps, agricultural melas and exhibitions of farm equipment were being organised to educate the farming community about modern agricultural practices. Underlining the importance of the scientific cultivation of conventional and cash crops for the all-round development of agriculture, Rana emphasised for transfer of technology and scientific findings from lab to land, asking agriculturists to adopt new techniques and utilise balanced dose of fertilisers to realise enhanced production. Rana said the cultivation of vegetables, floriculture and cash crops under poly green house technology had a greater potential in the state. He told the farmers to take best advantage of schemes under implementation in the state for poly green house. He told department experts to educate farmers on the advantages of poly green houses and other schemes launched by the coalition government for the development of agriculture and agriculturists. He said Omar’s keen interest in revolutionising agriculture and uplift of the farming community was evident from the fact that the sector had been kept out of the purview of almost all taxes. Jammu Chief Agriculture Officer Jatinder Singh, Jammu Sub-district Agriculture Officer PK Kaul, Bhalwal Agriculture Extension Officer Pardeep Abrol and Bhalwal Block Development Officer Aijaz Qaiser were present.
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15-year jail, fine for drug smuggler
Jammu, December 28 On June 8, 2007, the police conducted a search of the house of the accused and found a gun (315 bore) along with 26 live and two empty cartridges, 12 bore gun along with 14 live and 11 empty cartridges and one pistol along with seven live and six empty cartridges. Poppy straw weighing 261 kg was also seized during the search. After completion of the investigations, a charge sheet was presented in the court. The Kathua Principal Sessions Judge, while convicting the accused, observed that, “The fungus of narcotics has engulfed our country. It has a cancerous growth. It will spread its tentacles all around and a day will come when a major chunk of the Indian population, particularly youth, will suffer from this vice. All of them will be reduced to a mere vegetable. It will cause incalculable harm to their body and mind. This enhances the harmfulness of the offence. It is an aggravating factor that has to be borne in mind. The accused is awarded 10 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh under Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and also five years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 under Section 25 of the Indian Arms Act. Both the sentences shall run concurrently.”
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Now, hiring ponywallahs gets costlier
Katra, December 28 It has also been decided that tax/commission to be charged from yatris by the Municipal Committee will be 8 per cent as compared to 12 per cent charged presently. The Police Department will ensure that sufficient number of CCTVs is installed on the track from Katra to Bhawan to check the involvement of middlemen for getting pre-paid slips for hiring pithoos, ponies and palkies. Necessary signboards will also be installed at prominent places from Katra to Bhawan displaying the revised rates. The police and executive officer of the Municipal Committee will ensure that yatris make the payment at the pre-paid counters/checkposts strictly as per the notified rates. The DDC has asked the executive officer, Municipal Committee, Katra, to ensure that pre-paid counters/checkposts near Darshni Deodi, Banganga, Charan Paduka, Adhkuwari and Bhawan remain functional round the clock and be made fully computerised. A committee comprising assistant director Tourism, naib tehsildar Katra and representatives of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has been constituted to check any irregularities in this regard. The DDC said those found indulging in any sort of malpractices would be dealt with under Section 144 RPC.
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Seminar on human rights
Jammu, December 28 The seminar was organised to increase awareness about human rights issues and generate new ideas through mutual exchange of experiences and thoughts of eminent participants. The seminar commenced with a keynote address by Lt Gen DS Hooda, GOC of White Knight Corps. Lt Gen Hooda highlighted the methodology with which the Army approaches counter-insurgency and how upholding of human rights fits in the paradigm. He said the Army’s population-centric approach in the north-east and J&K had yielded rich dividends. The GOC said as the ground situation had improved, Army operations had evolved in sync with a resultant refinement in its thinking, operating procedures and rules of engagement. The seminar concluded with an address by Lt Gen KT Parnaik, GOC-in-C of the Northern Command.
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HC quashes detention order of PoK national
Jammu, December 28 Shah had entered India on a valid visa through Attari Check Post, Punjab, on August 6, 2009. He married Safeena Malik, a resident of Fazalabad, Poonch, on August 22, 2009. Shah was arrested on December 1, 2009, under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The investigations were concluded and a charge sheet was presented in the Poonch Sessions Court. The petitioner and his co-accused were acquitted of charges by the Sessions Court. Meanwhile, Shah was placed under preventive detention on January 8, 2010. The detention order was challenged before the HC and the same was quashed on June 5, 2010.
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Srinagar, December 28
Jammu, December 28
Srinagar, December 28