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Cong leader fires fresh salvo at Omar government
After CM, Soz bats for Hurriyat-New Delhi talks
NHRC notice to Centre, state on security to village heads
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From darkness to light, remote J&K villages come a long way
Curfew continues in Pulwama areas for 2nd consecutive day
2012: JAMMU
& KASHMIR LOOKING BACK
‘Rape victims never get justice in India’
Hoteliers’ Club seeks sops for tourism sector
Centre okays 19 tourism projects for upgrade
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Cong leader fires fresh salvo at Omar government
Jammu, December 29 He alleged that coalition regime headed by Omar Abdullah has launched a ‘cosmetic’ campaign against corruption because the anti-graft
institutions were not adequately strengthened to take action against politicians who were facing charges of corruption. Vakil, a former Congress Minister, had levelled serious charges of corruption and nepotism against his party colleague Taj Mohi ud Din. His charges had snowballed into a big controversy because the minister has filed a defamation suit against him in the court. He was also snubbed by the party high command for publicly levelling corruption charges on his party colleagues. But the recent decision of the SAC to start proceedings against Taj has provided more ammunition to the former Congress minister to attack the coalition government. “I am not against any individual. My fight in against prevailing corruption in the government,” Vakil told The Tribune, adding, “corruption is a big issue so there is a need to take action against those ministers and bureaucrats who have been indulging in corruption.” He said common people were bearing the brunt of rampant corruption. “I am of the opinion that the government should set an example by taking action against politicians who are involved in corruption,” he said. Although Vakil refused to comment on action of the SAC against Taj, he said the defamation suit filed against him by the minister has not discouraged him. “I have rather intensified my campaign against corruption,” he said adding there was a need to strictly implement some anti-corruption laws formulated during the regime of former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. When asked about approach of the present regime headed by Omar Abdullah, Vakil observed that the government has started campaign against corruption half-heartedly. To substantiate his allegations, Vakil said adequate staff was yet to be deployed in the SAC to make this anti-graft panel functional. He alleged the Vigilance Commission was also deliberately not made active to intensify campaign against corruption. The SAC had initiated contempt proceedings against the Congress minister on December 24 for giving a false statement regarding getting a clean chit in forest land grabbing case. |
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After CM, Soz bats for Hurriyat-New Delhi talks
Srinagar, December 29 “Dialogue alone can solve vexed issues including that of Kashmir.…as Hurriyat leaders have returned from Pakistan, they should restart the dialogue process as they have held talks with the Prime Minister in the past,” Soz told reporters on the sidelines of a function held at the JKPCC headquarters here. He said this days after Omar had said the separatist leaders of Kashmir should also hold talks with the Centre, saying a lopsided dialogue process would not yield any result with regard to the resolution of the Kashmir issue. A delegation of the moderate Hurriyat faction led by chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had recently visited Pakistan and held talks with a cross-section of leaders there in an effort to seek solution to the Kashmir issue. Stating that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had already expressed willingness to talk to groups in Kashmir who abjure violence, Soz said: “Nobody can disprove their (Hurriyat) presence in the political scenario of the state… as the dialogue process between India and Pakistan is going on, they (Hurriyat leaders) should also chip in to find a solution to the Kashmir issue.” The moderate Hurriyat faction had held talks with New Delhi in 2004. Meanwhile, Soz said its coalition partner National Conference had already agreed to amend the Stating that the Block Development Council (BDC) elections in the state would be held soon, Soz said he was in a constant touch with the Chief Minister so that the panchayats were adequately empowered. The BDC elections, which were supposed to be held earlier this year, had been postponed at the last moment after the Congress had expressed reservation that the poll process was futile without the extension of provisions of the 73rd Amendment in the state. While Soz batted for harsher punishment to the rapists, he said it was up to the policy-makers to decide the nature of punishment. |
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NHRC notice to Centre, state on security to village heads
Jammu, December 29 The petition was filed by a Jammu-based social activist Raman Sharma, who had requested the Commission to take note of the security threat to village representatives in Jammu and Kashmir after the United Jihad Council (UJC) chairman Syed Salahuudin threatened sarpanches and panches to quit from their posts. The NHRC served notices to the Union government through Secretary, Department of Home, chief secretary and Director-General of Police, J&K. The Commission in its order said, “Now, therefore take notice that you are required to submit the requested information/report within four weeks from the date of receipt of this notice. Take further notice that in default the Commission may proceed to take such action as it deems proper”. Earlier in his petition on November 11, Sharma had urged the NHRC chairman to issue necessary directions to the Government of India and the state government to ensure safety and security of the panchayat members in the wake of life threat. He had submitted that after the open threat by the terror outfit given in the month of November this year, a sense of fear and panic had brewed among elected panches, sarpanches and their family members. He also expressed gratitude to the NHRC for seeking report from the government. He said he would pursue the case before the NHRC because it is a serious matter concerning lives of innocent persons and the since the subject in this case are 33,000 elected public representatives who represent over 75 per cent population of the state and were strengthening the democracy and constitution at the grass-roots level. |
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Rain throws life out of gear
Jammu, December 29 A Vaishno Devi pilgrim was killed in landslides triggered by heavy rains and the pilgrimage to the shrine was suspended for four hours. The police said a pilgrim, identified as Ravi Toks, son of Daya Nath Toks of Delhi, was killed in a landslide incident in the Adhkuwari area en route cave shrine when he was hit by a shooting stone. After getting information, the police started rescue operations and recovered the body of the deceased. The new route from Adhkuwari to Bhawan was also closed for pilgrims. The police said the authorities suspended yatra at 10 am in view of bad weather and slippery track. The yatra later resumed at 2 pm today. The copter service to Vaishno Devi shrine also remained suspended for the third consecutive day due to poor visibility. Faisal Qureshi, DSP, Ramban, told The Tribune that the highway, which was closed for normal traffic due to snowfall at Jawahar tunnel late last evening, was reopened for vehicular movement this morning. “We allowed one-way traffic movement, from Srinagar to Jammu, due to snowfall and bad weather conditions. There will be upward movement (Jammu to Srinagar) for vehicles tomorrow,” the DSP said. However, hundreds of Kashmir-bound passengers remained stranded at general bus stand Jammu and several places due to one-way movement of traffic on the highway. Sources said the traffic also remained affected for several hours on the Rajouri-Poonch highway after a tanker turned turtle on the road due to slippery conditions near Bhimber Gali. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) officials, Jammu recorded 27.2 mm rainfall during the past 24 hours while Katra town - the base camp of Vaishno Devi cave shrine - received 23.2 mm rainfall. “The maximum temperature, which was 11.6 degrees Celsius yesterday, showed some improvement and it was 15.8 degrees Celsius today which was three notches below normal. The minimum temperature in the city was 9.4 degrees Celsius,” the official said, adding “In Katra, the day temperature was four notches below normal and it was 13.8 degrees Celsius.” Similarly, the day temperature in Banihal town of Ramban district was three degrees below normal and it was 8.9 degrees Celsius. The higher reaches of Jammu region also received fresh snowfall following overnight rains, which further intensified the cold wave. The people in plains continued to shiver under chilling conditions, while icy winds forced the people to remain indoors. “Though there was slight improvement in weather conditions after the overnight rainfall, rail and air traffic was affected due to poor visibility with trains and flights running behind schedule,” sources said.
(With inputs from Devinder Thakur in Reasi) |
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Gulmarg ski resort set for New Year revellers
Srinagar, December 29 The tourist resort at an altitude of 8,000 feet, 50 km north of summer capital Srinagar, has virtually been sold out with most of the hotels registering cent per cent bookings till January-end and the Tourism Department going an extra mile to make the beginning of the New Year a memorable one for the visitors. Often described as the 'heartland of winter sports in India', this year again, Gulmarg will play host to a number of activities as part of the 'Snow Festival' much to the delight of holiday-makers, most of whom are already camping in one of best ski destinations of the world, braving sub-zero temperatures. Among the main attractions this year will be snow cycling, ice skating, snow-sculptor activity, sledge-race, snow rugby, and, for the first time, torch-skiing in the night. "On December 31, we have planned snow-rugby, snow-cycling, snow-sculptor activity and musical programme in the evening along with a cracker
show and so many other activities like snow-trekking, snow-boarding and snow-marathon," director Tourism, Kashmir, Talat Parvez said. He said the highlight of the festival will be the 'Torch-Skiing' event - skiers with torches making rounds of the slopes during the night, offering a breath-taking sight to the tourists. He said the department has made elaborate arrangements this year as well to make "the stay of tourists a memorable one." The preparations kick-started on December 23 with an ice-skating camp in which 20 boys and 20 girls are participating. "They are being imparted training for seven days and the final competition will be held on December 31. We have arranged a national coach from the Ice-Skating Federation and a local coach as well," Parvez said. He said the department has roped in local hoteliers for the celebrations this year to provide better services to the visitors. "This year we have taken along the local hoteliers so that they participate in the festival and become the stakeholders in it. They will help us in the form of providing accommodation and food and beverages," he said. Before the onset of militancy, Gulmarg, declared as the Winter Games Capital of India by the Winter Games Federation, used to witness large-scale celebrations on Christmas and New Year eve, offering best slopes for amateur and professional skiers, who weave their magic on ice much to the delight of spectators.
— PTI |
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From darkness to light, remote J&K villages come a long way
At least 1,700 people of Wadar Payeen, Wadar Bala, Wadar Chak, Hamlapati and Gujjarpati Wadar can now illuminate their houses at least for five hours (five 60 watt each of CFL bulbs) in a day. The summer "happy time" can stretch up to at least 8 hours, according district administration officials. The state reels under severe power shortage. The total hydel power production in summer in is 760 MW. In winter, the production dips to 250 MW, whereas the consumption goes up to 2000 MW. Handwara MLA Chowdary Mohammad Ramzan said villagers had applied to the district administration in 2008. The villagers were overjoyed. A villager recalled a popular Kashmiri saying: "Aech waschai, gaash raousai" (there is no use of open eyes without lights around). It's mostly nomadic Gujjar and Bakerwal families who stand to benefit. "After many years, we are happy to see our houses illuminated at a cheaper price. It would cost us Rs 700 per installation, whereas the market cost is Rs 22,000)," said Jamal-u-din Khatana, a resident of Gujjarpati Wadar. The backward villages are around 30 km from Handwara town. Solar power
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Curfew continues in Pulwama areas for 2nd consecutive day
Srinagar, December 29 The restrictions on movement of civilians were put in place in Pulwama town and adjoining areas yesterday where seven civilians were hit by bullets on Friday morning sparking protests. The restrictions continued throughout the day today and are likely to be lifted in the evening if situation improves, a senior official said. “Situation (in the district) is under control,” Pulwama Deputy Commissioner Shafat Noor said. Hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel manned the streets and roads in and around Pulwama town to implement the restrictions which were imposed to prevent any further protests, which the administration apprehended could grow larger after mid-day Friday congregation prayers. Some parts of the Pulwama district also observed a shutdown to protest against the firing on civilians. The circumstances in which the seven people were hit remained unclear as the police version, the Army’s account and the injured civilians’ account clashed with each other. While the police claimed the seven were injured in a “retaliatory action” when a “mob” attacked an ambulance at Pulwama carrying an injured Army Major for treatment, the Army said its personnel were not involved in the firing incident on civilians as its ambulance was being escorted by a police vehicle. The injured civilians, admitted at a hospital in Srinagar, had alleged they were fired at “without provocation” from an Army vehicle. The state government launched an investigation into the incident by appointing an Additional District Magistrate to conduct the probe. A district official told The Tribune that a notice has been issued to the general public by the probe committee, which has been tasked to submit its report within 15 days. “A notice has been issued to the police, paramilitary forces and the general public that anybody who has any information about the incident should come forward and get his statement recorded,” the official said. A state government spokesman said Regional Red Cross Committee, on the instructions of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, has distributed Rs 15,000 among the injured persons who are undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the city here. Two Laskhar-e-Toiba militants were killed yesterday morning and three security forces personnel, including two officers, were injured in the gunfight at a village in Pulwama. Shutdown observed
Hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel manned the streets and roads in and around Pulwama town to enforce the restrictions that were imposed to prevent any further protests. Some parts of the Pulwama district also observed a shutdown to protest against the firing on civilians. |
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2012: JAMMU
& KASHMIR LOOKING BACK
Srinagar, December 29 The All Parties Hurriyat Conference, a major separatist block formed in the early years of 1990s as an amalgam of nearly two dozen separatist political parties, had already suffered a massive vertical split in 2003 as a breakaway group of hardliners appointed Syed Ali Geelani as the chairman of the new faction. More than a decade later after the first split, the moderate Hurriyat faction headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq seemed to be heading towards another split as its members took to the streets to level accusations against each other. On May 8 during a meeting of the faction’s executive committee, the divide deepened as a group led by Shabir Shah spoke against chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and executive members Bilal Lone and Abdul Gani Bhat. The latest trigger was Bhat’s comment during a rally in north Kashmir that the UN plebiscite resolutions could no longer be practically implemented in the state. The comments were hitting at the bedrock of separatist politics, which is based on the six-decade-old UN resolutions asking for plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir. As Shah’s supporters clashed outside the moderate camp’s headquarters with the supporters of the rival faction, Mirwaiz issued a gag order warning them against airing differences in public. However, the ugliest moment for the separatist leadership arrived when a revered shrine in Srinagar's old city was gutted in a fire in June this year. When Shah visited the place, which is surrounded by localities which form Mirwaiz' traditional stronghold, he was beaten up and his face was blackened even though the culprits and their motive could never be identified. Another low point in the separatist camp was when the Pakistani government invited the separatist leadership for a visit to the country. Hardline Hurriyat chairman Geelani rejected the invitation saying it was not the right time to visit Pakistan as it was heading towards elections. Geelani's rejection of the invite and his snide remarks on moderate separatists who agreed to visit was sharply reacted to by the rival camp. Moreover, senior moderate Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Bhat termed those opposing the visit
as "forces of darkness". Bhat was clearly referring to Geelani. The Pakistan trip also created a fresh split within the moderate camp as one of their executive members, Shabir Shah, did not fly to Islamabad and instead advised others to delay the trip by at least three months. Both the separatist blocks, moderates and hardliners, however, faced criticism from an unusual quarter this year. Syed Salahuddin, the head of the United Jehad Council, which is an amalgam of a dozen militant outfits, and leader of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen outfit, asked separatists to stop repeating the "mantra" of peaceful struggle as a way ahead. |
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2012: JAMMU
& KASHMIR LOOKING BACK
Srinagar, December 29 The conversion of prime agricultural land for construction and other commercial activities is threatening the food security here. This is particularly true in the Kashmir region, where prosperity is giving way to urbanisation. It was this trend which was highlighted in the Economic Survey Report 2011-12 tabled by the J&K Government in the Assembly during the Budget Session in March. The survey while pointing out the figures related to the shrinking of the agricultural land had recommended huge investments in the agriculture sector for ensuring food security in the state. “Regardless of its importance to growth, income, food and nutritional security, the sector is witnessing a gradual slump in its contribution to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). The estimated percentage contribution of the agriculture sector and its allied sectors is likely to be 19.41 per cent in 2010-11 as against the corresponding share of 28.06 per cent registered in 2004-05,” the report states. Needles to say, agriculture has held a crucial place in the economy and culture of the state, where about 75 per cent of the population resides in the rural areas and is directly or indirectly linked with this sector for livelihood. Though the government has also expressed its concern over the diminishing agricultural holdings and the conversion of land for construction and other purposes, so far the efforts for checking this trend have failed. In fact, several attempts were made by legislators to pass a bill but neither the PDP nor the ruling National Conference has been able to bring out a legislation in their tenures banning the conversion of agricultural land in the state. Concerns in this regard compelled the J-K High Court to direct state government on December 18 to make plans to cater to the increasing demand for residential places in Srinagar. The double Bench of the high court, which passed the orders, observed that limited available space for residential purposes resulted in illegal activities like conversion of agriculture lands. Nevertheless, officials of the Agriculture Department of the state hope to register a growth in the production of saffron in south Kashmir this year. Officials say in 2012, the production of the saffron has been around 10 metric tones compared to 9.5 metric tonnes last year. The higher yield has been possible by providing better inputs and high quality seeds to saffron farmers of Kashmir. Besides, under the Centrally-sponsored ‘National Saffron Mission’, more areas are being brought under saffron cultivation in the region. The horticulture sector of the state, which mostly includes the apple and the dry fruit industry, is on a path to revival with farmers taking recourse to technical aids and high density plantation. More and more agricultural lands meant for paddy cultivation are now being brought under the apple cultivation. The prime reasons for farmers shunning paddy cultivation and taking up apple growing and harvesting are better returns in terms of high yield and financial support to families in rural areas. |
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‘Rape victims never get justice in India’
Srinagar, December 29 “This innocent girl from Delhi died a painful death like my sister Asiya. I had to bury her amid people pointing a finger at her character. It is humiliating to be from a family whose two women were done to death in such a way. I can feel the pain through which the family of the victim would be going through,” a teary Shakeel Ahanger told The Tribune. Shakeel said the Indian society is yet to come of age where a rape victim or her family is treated at par with other people. Three years after the alleged rape and murder of his wife and sister, both social and legal justice still eludes him. Shakeel says images of the battered bodies of his wife and sister flashed in front of him as he saw television reports of the 23-year-old Delhi physiotherapist succumbing to multiple organ failure at a Singapore hospital today. Ever since the CBI probe and a one-man panel appointed by the J-K govt nullified Shakeel’s claims of his wife and sister having been raped and murdered, he has made several rounds of courts, human rights commission and the Home Ministry offices seeking justice. “I have met some top lawyers of the country who admitted that India does not have strict anti-rape laws and that the justice seeking system for a rape victim or her family is turning obsolete. In a nation, where a woman is raped after every 28 minutes, how could our sisters and wives feel safe?” asks Shakeel. |
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Shrine board team takes stock of projects at Katra, Bhawan
Jammu, December 29 The team inspected the re-modeling work undertaken on the outer cave area, including the enlargement of the Atka area, replacement of worn-out marble tiles, construction of new counting hall and modification of the queue system. The board members inspected the exit route, the work on which was recently completed. They said and this would not only help decongest the Bhawan area but would also be crucial from the point of view of disaster management. The team also inspected the construction of Parvati Bhawan and pony shed at Bhawan and the retiling work of the track. They asked the concerned workers to expedite the retiling work on the stretch from Bhawan to Bhairon Ghati to smoothen the movement of pilgrims. They talked about the possibility of establishing a veterinary centre beside the pony shed. On arrival at Katra in the afternoon, the members inspected the construction work of a sports stadium and expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved. While appreciating the quality of infrastructure available at the Spiritual Growth Centre, team embers said suitable steps should be taken to ensure optimum utilisation of this centre. Thereafter, the team
visited Kakriyal where they reviewed the progress of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence project. While expressing satisfaction over the near completion of the main building, they asked the workers there to complete the doctors’ hostel, nurses’ hostel and the guest house at the earliest so that the hospital could be made functional in 2013. Finally, the members visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University where they were received by its Vice Chancellor Prof RNK Bamezai, registrar Roop Avtar Kaur and other senior functionaries. Works Reviewed
The team inspected the re-modeling work undertaken on the outer cave area, including the enlargement of the Atka area, replacement of worn-out marble tiles, construction of new counting hall and modification of the queue system. |
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Hoteliers’ Club seeks sops for tourism sector
Srinagar, December 29 Talking to reporters
after the meeting, Hoteliers Club chairman Mushtaq Chaya said the tourism sector had been given industry status
a long time ago but the policies had not been implemented in letter and in spirit. He said the stakeholders, especially the hoteliers, should be given special concessions such as
subsidies on taxes and exemption of entry tax for items to be imported for the maintenance
of hotels in the state. The Hoteliers Club also sought concessions in power and water tariffs
for hotels. Chaya said they would soon approach Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and present before him their demands. Asserting that the tourism industry can be fully developed only if all stakeholders are involved in the decision-making by the government, he said the authorities should also announce special packages for them just like it announced for the development of industries in the state. As the Gulmarg ski resort in north Kashmir
is hosting a whole lot of winter sports activities, Chaya said the government should
auction land at the resort so that more hotels could be set up there. “This will resolve accommodation problems for the
tourists at the resort,” he added. He also appealed to the Director Tourism to install street lights at Gulmarg for the convenience
of tourists. |
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Musharraf’s formula an option to address K-issue: Mirwaiz
Srinagar, December 29 Mirwaiz said the Hurriyat Conference supported the Kashmir-related confidence building measures (CBMs) by India and Pakistan which could help in paving way for the “final settlement” over Kashmir. Mirwaiz was addressing a press conference in Srinagar today after briefing members of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference about the recent Pakistan visit of the seven-member Hurriyat delegation. He was flanked by Hurriyat leaders Prof Abdul Gani Bhat and Sajjad Gani Lone, who were part of the delegation. “During our discussions and meetings in Pakistan, it emerged that Kashmir-related CBMs form an important part of the process which can ultimately help in facilitating the final settlement over Kashmir,” Mirwaiz said. He said the CBMs such as free movement across the LoC, trade on both sides, increased people-to-people contact and opening up of more routes could bring the two countries close to a solution on Kashmir but they could not form a final solution to the Kashmir dispute. “The final solution, which we made clear to people in Pakistan, lies in the international commitments made by India on Kashmir or in the alternative negotiated settlement involving India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir, which is also mentioned in the Hurriyat constitution,” Mirwaiz said. He said: “We support the Kashmir-related confidence building measures but both countries need to encourage more contact and dialogue between Kashmiri leaders on both sides. On these points, we found unanimity on both sides.” Mirwaiz also pointed out that the Hurriyat was not “averse or opposed” to Indo-Pak CBMs such as increasing bilateral trade between the two countries, economic co-operation and liberal visa regime, adding that India should also “take measures for ending atrocities” in Kashmir and pave the way for dialogue. “The talks, CBMs and the human rights abuses in Kashmir cannot go together. The things on ground in Kashmir need to be changed by India,” he said, adding that India needed to first act on the suggestions put forth by the Hurriyat Conference, which included “revocation of contentious laws like the AFSPA and the PSA and putting an end to HR abuses”. |
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Centre okays 19 tourism projects for upgrade
Jammu, December 29 Tourism and Culture Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora said this while reviewing the physical and financial status of the under execution Centrally-sponsored tourism projects here yesterday. The minister said the first instalment of Rs 19.18 crore had been released by the Centre for taking up of these projects.
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Handwara, December 29