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Trans-LoC bus service resumes, 138 passengers cross border
Trade via Chakan da Bagh in Jammu to restart today
Hizb behind attacks on panchayat members
Trade with PoK from Uri to set new record
Keep up peace momentum for growth, says Governor |
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Implement Verma panel proposals in full: Bedi
Mufti takes up the reins to face NC in Jammu
Dead prisoner’s kin urge Centre to get his body from Pak
Govt releases manual for improvement in depts
Man electrocuted, protesters block highway at Chanderkot
Newborn girl found abandoned at hospital
Rusted grenade recovered in Rajouri
Governor for protection of child rights
Hizb behind attacks on panchayat members
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Trans-LoC bus service resumes, 138 passengers cross border
Poonch, January 28 “There was no Indian who wanted to visit Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the bus today. Only 79 PoK nationals, who had completed their 28-day permit, went back to their country and 59 passengers came here from PoK, which included 13 PoK nationals and 44 Indians who had completed their stay and were stranded there due to the suspension of the bus service,” said Krishan Lal Menia, custodian, Poonch-Rawalakote bus service. "A total of 85 PoK nationals were due to return but six were given extension and only 79 went back to PoK. Similarly, 68 Indians were to return but 24 were given extension in PoK,” Menia said. “I was worried about my family in PoK when I heard the news of escalating tension on the LoC. The suspension of the bus service added to my worries,” said Shajawal Khan, who was on a 28-day permit to Poonch. “We had forgotten our relatives who were left here after Partition. The launch of the Poonch-Rawalakote bus service gave us an opportunity to reunite with them and now that we have met, we do not want to be out of touch again,” he said. The cross-border bus service, which is a part of confidence building measures between the two countries, was launched in 2005.
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Trade via Chakan da Bagh in Jammu to restart today
Jammu, January 28 The cross-LoC trade and travel via Chakan da Bagh had come to a grinding halt on January 8, the day Pakistan soldiers of 29 Baloch Regiment had killed two Indian soldiers Lance Naiks Hemraj Singh and Sudhakar Singh of the 13 Rajputana Rifles in the Balnoi sector. The Pakistan soldiers had not only killed the two Indian troops but had mutilated their bodies and decapitated one of them. “I talked to my PoK counterparts today and they told me that five to 10 trucks carrying merchandise from PoK will reach Chakan da Bagh tomorrow,” said the custodian of the Chakan da Bagh Cross LoC Trade Centre, Krishan Lal. However, no truck from the Indian side will enter PoK tomorrow as Indian traders will resume the trade from January 30, he added. Trade and transaction *
Indian traders have suffered trade loss of over Rs 3.37 crore since January 8 *
Indo-Pak skirmishes on the LoC always take a toll on the cross-LoC trade and travel via Chakan da Bagh *
The trans-border trade takes place four days a week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday *
In June last year, too, Pakistan had suspended trade and travel after heavily shelling Indian posts in the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district *
The trans-LoC travel and trade via Chakan da Bagh in Poonch and Salamabad in Uri were started between the two countries in 2005 and 2008, respectively |
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Hizb behind attacks on panchayat members
Srinagar, January 28 A senior police officer said, “The attacks were carried out by the Hizbul Mujahideen and the militants have also been identified. The case is solved.” The officer said a group of local Hizbul Mujahideen militants were involved in the attacks which took place on two consecutive days. “They are five active militants, two of whom are directly involved. All (militants) are Sopore residents and have been active for three to four years,” the officer said. However, he said none of the militants involved in the attacks had been arrested so far. On January 11, Habibullah Mir, a sarpanch of Gooripora village near Sopore town, was shot dead by gunmen outside his house. A day later, gunmen shot at Zoona, a panch from Hadrshiv village, injuring her critically. Soon after the attacks, the police had detained at least six people, including some former over ground workers (OGWs) of militant groups, all of whom were released after questioning. Sopore, 50 km from Srinagar, is considered to be Kashmir’s last militant stronghold where militancy is resilient despite major offensives by the security forces. The attacks which killed Mir and left Zoona battling for life took place within the first fortnight of the new year, highlighting the persistent threat faced by panchayat members in the region. A few sarpanches and dozens of panches announced their public resignations and many remained reluctant to return to their houses for several days in the aftermath of the attacks. The panchayats in Kashmir were elected in 2011 when more than 80 per cent votes were cast across the state. These elected members have since faced militant threats on several occasions and a few have been killed, triggering a spate of public resignations. |
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Trade with PoK from Uri to set new record
Srinagar, January 28 “The total export value of goods for the current financial year by December-end was Rs 242.59 crore while goods worth Rs. 389.84 crore (in Pakistani currency) were imported,” said Custodian Officer, Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC), Salamabad, Nazir Ahmad Baba told The Tribune. In 2011-12, the total value of exported goods stood at Rs 244.35 crore while goods worth Rs 407.72 (in Pakistani currency) were imported. With three more months of trade to go for 2012-13, Baba said the previous record in terms of import and export value of goods would be broken. Similarly, the number of trucks crossing the LoC through Salamabad too has increased. Baba said 5,256 trucks crossed the LoC from Salamabad while 2,204 trucks entered the Valley from Chakoti in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) during this financial year. In 2011-12, 2,206 trucks had gone to Chakoti while 2,960 trucks had arrived at Salamabad. Even though the trade volume has increased as compared to the last financial year, the cross-LoC traders are still complaining that the promises made to them have not been fulfilled. After the launching of the cross-LoC trade in October 2008 with hopes that it would turn into a major confidence-building measure, the traders have for long been complaining that the Indian, Pakistan governments have not done much to expand the trade. They want banking facilities as the trade is done through the age-old barter system, free movement of traders across the LoC and increase in the number of trading items. Traders from both sides of the LoC also met for the first time ever here during a three-day-long conference titled “Cross-LoC Trade, Regional Development: Opportunities and Challenges” last year to discuss their problems. Claiming that only two per cent potential of cross-LoC trade was currently being exploited, the traders had jointly appealed to both governments of India and Pakistan. However, president of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Abdul Hamid Punjabi said there had been no headway in their suggestions towards further boosting the cross-LoC trade. “As our counterparts (from PoK) had come here last year, we had suggested that a team of traders from here should also go across the LoC to discuss problems related to the increase in number of tradable items besides banking and communication facilities. We had also met with the consulate of the Pakistan embassy and we were assured that our visit would be facilitated… but there has been no headway and the problems faced by the traders remain unresolved,” Punjabi said. |
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Keep up peace momentum for growth, says Governor
Jammu, January 28 The Governor was addressing the 45th Peace Conference organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation (JKPF) at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium in the city today. Referring to the situation that the state has witnessed in the past years, he observed that, “We have suffered great human and economic losses alongside an irreparable loss to education and careers of the youth.” He added that having passed through a very difficult time “our people now seek and pray for peace and normalcy”. He said: “Our youth have since come up in a big way and many of them are pursuing education in reputed technical and professional institutions across the country and competing successfully for various career options.” He emphasised the need for enabling the youth to pursue their education, improve their skills and secure gainful employment to secure bright and better careers. In this context, he referred to the Special Scholarship Scheme launched by the Central government to enable the youth of the state to pursue higher studies and professional courses outside the state and other skill upgrade schemes, adding that a maximum number of students should benefit from these opportunities. He said the spurt of development and economic activity, particularly during the past two years, has clearly demonstrated that progress can be achieved only when normalcy prevails. He observed that the stable environment during the past two years has put the state on the path of progress. He expressed sincere hope and said, “God willing we would succeed in our endeavours and Jammu and Kashmir will emerge as the leading state in the country.” He complimented Fayaz Ahmed Bhat, chairman of J&K Peace Foundation, members of his team and all activists for organising various functions for promoting communal harmony, peace and amity. MLC Devender Singh Rana congratulated the JKPF for organising the conference. |
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Implement Verma panel proposals in full: Bedi
Srinagar, January 28 Former IPS officer-turned-social activist said security personnel who are found involved in crimes against women (particularly those in disturbed areas) should be tried in civil courts. Bedi was speaking at a scholarship distribution ceremony conducted by the Chandigarh-based Aryan Group of Institutions at Kashmir University
here today. While lending her support for the Justice Verma committee report, Bedi said nobody, including personnel serving in security forces, should be spared if found guilty of crimes against women. The Justice Verma committee among many of its recommendations has
recommended the review of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which provides legal immunity to the security forces serving in disturbed areas. |
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2014 Assembly Elections
Jammu, January 28 While PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has by and large confined her political activities to the Valley, Mufti is utilising all his energy in the Jammu region, which is going to play a deciding role in the formation of the government in 2014. Mufti, who was the president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee for 15 years, has contacts with leaders of various political parties, especially the Congress, so he wants to utilise all his political experience to strengthen his party in the region. The NC has virtually started a campaign for the ‘Mission 2014’ by overhauling the party and the government. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has appointed his trusted aide, Devender Singh Rana, as the party’s provincial president for Jammu province. Although Mufti had started his activities in the Jammu region a year ago, he is now targeting some Hindu dominated constituencies where the party has some potential. The PDP has identified 12 Assembly segments in Jammu, Kathua, Samba and Udhampur districts where the party is hoping to garner support by roping in some local influential political activists. Mufti was in RS Pura yesterday. While addressing a public meeting in remote Marjali village of Raipur-Domana Assembly segment today, Mufti said he has been addressing a series of public meetings to seek support of the people. “With the people’s support, the PDP wants to change the present corrupt system and establish a new dispensation of justice and equality,” he said and claimed the PDP had proved how to set up a new system of justice during its regime. He will address a public meeting at the Nagri area of Kathua on January 30, followed by a meeting at Marh on February 3. Insiders in the PDP said the party leadership was satisfied with its strength in Poonch and Rajouri districts and the party was now targeting the erstwhile Doda district and some seats of Jammu, Kathua, Samba and Udhampur. The PDP has successfully roped in some prominent political activists of Poonch and Rajouri districts. The two districts have been gradually emerging as the battleground for the NC and
the PDP. |
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Dead prisoner’s kin urge Centre to get his body from Pak
Jammu, January 28 The family also submitted a petition to the Jammu Divisional Commissioner Pradeep Gupta and urged him to take up the matter with the Centre. They also raised slogans against the Pakistan government and accused it of brutally killing Singh. “We urge the Central government to intervene and take up the matter with Pakistan so that the body of my father is brought back to India for last rites,” said Dara Singh, Chamel Singh’s son, after submitting the petition to the Jammu Divisional Commissioner. Dara Singh, who was accompanied by his family members, including his mother and some villagers, said the Divisional Commissioner had assured them of taking up the issue with the Centre for bringing back his father’s body from Pakistan. Kamlesh Devi, Chamel Singh’s wife, said her husband had written them a letter that his five-year jail term would complete in the next few months and he would return home after his release. “Earlier, he had written four letters to us which we didn’t receive. The last letter, which we received, was delivered at the house of our relative in Punjab. We came to know that he was in a Pakistan jail and had been given five-year imprisonment through his letter. His jail term was about to complete but he was brutally tortured and murdered inside the jail. We appeal to the Union Government to take up the matter with Pakistan to bring his body to India for last rites,” Devi said. Media reports said Chamel Singh, a resident of the Pargwal area of Jammu, was “mercilessly beaten” by the staff of the Kot Lakhpat jail. His family said he was not involved in spying and had gone missing from his fields on the border with Pakistan on December 22, 2008. The reports quoted Pakistani lawyer Tehseen Khan, who was recently released from the Kot Lakhpat jail, as saying that he had seen the prison staff assaulting Singh for using tap water to wash his clothes on January 15. Singh died two days later at Jinnah Hospital in Lahore, the reports said. Former general secretary of the state BJP Sat Sharma, who accompanied the family, said the Union Government should take up the matter with the Pakistani authorities and bring Singh’s body to India for last rites. He also demanded compensation for the family. Panthers Party leader Bhim Singh, in a press statement, said he has written to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari for granting him visa to visit Pakistan to represent Chamel Singh’s family before the Judicial Commission, which was reportedly appointed by the Pakistan government tw days ago. |
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Govt releases manual for improvement in depts
Jammu, January 28 Describing the manual as an important document, the Chief Secretary said over the years the mandate of the departments had undergone major changes and it had become important that each department was suitably supported with an institutional structure, capacities and competencies to perform policy formulation and programme implementation functions with due regards to the emerging concepts of devolution
and delegation. He said after six months of detailed reviewing of the entire organisational structure of the administrative departments, several key areas requiring urgent and sustained attention were identified and addressed through the manual. The Chief Secretary said a lot of effort has gone into preparing the manual. He highlighted the significance of continuous update of the document to make it dynamic and useful for the future course of action as well. “The services and establishment division of the General Administration Department (GAD) is required to regularly update the website version of the manual as part of its success indicator under the results framework document,”
he said. The manual categorises working in the civil secretariat into ‘division’, headed by the Special or Additional Secretary, ‘branches’, headed by the Deputy or Under Secretary, and ‘sections’, headed by the Section Officers. Each department is to further rationalise the allocation of work between the levels, including the delegation of authority. The manual will be useful for the personnel to be transferred from the field offices to the secretariat. It will also form the basis for a more rational allocation of individuals in the departments and to achieve to the extent possible a better match between the qualification and experience of the individuals and works allocated to them. The Chief Secretary directed the officials concerned for putting the manual on the website of the General Administration Department for easy access to all the officials. He also told the Commissioner Secretary, GAD, to issue a circular in this regard. Commissioner Secretary, GAD, Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad; Special Secretary, GAD, GS Chib; Special Secretary to the Chief Secretary RK Verma and Additional Secretary, GAD, Simrandeep Singh were present at the function. |
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Man electrocuted, protesters block highway at Chanderkot
Batote, January 28 Eyewitnesses said his family members could go near him only after the power supply was switched off after half an hour. The locals alleged that it was a tragedy waiting to happen because a child and a buffalo were electrocuted due to the snapping of the power supply wires in the past. They said the PDD had paid no heed to their repeated requests for removing the power supply wires passing above the buildings and replacement of worn out wires and electricity poles. The protesters refused to disperse from the highway. Assistant Commissioner, Revenue, GS Thakur, and tehsildar Tanveer Ahmed at the behest of Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, SA Bhat ordered the
suspension of the lineman concerned, Hemraj, and junior engineer Mohammad Aneece. A cash relief of Rs 1.50 lakh was announced for the bereaved family. The traffic between Dhalwas and Chanderkot resumed after four hours. |
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Newborn girl found abandoned at hospital
Srinagar, January 28 As per the Census 2011, the state has witnessed a steep decline in the sex ratio in the past decade. It was 964 female children per 1,000 male children in 2001 and 859 female children to 1,000 male children in 2011. In the fresh case, the infant was brought to the hospital by two men who had registered their names, which the authorities are speculating to be fake, with the hospital helpdesk. They left the girl in the casualty ward of the hospital and quietly slipped away. The girl was not even wearing clothes in the biting cold. After noticing the baby lying all alone in a corner of the casualty ward, some doctors took her to the ICU neonates section. The doctors have now thrown the case open for legal adoption. “We called the police and registered an FIR in the Ram Munshi Bagh police station. As of now, two families have approached us for adopting the girl but it will be done legally by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar,” Dr Bismah Khan, Resident Medical Officer, GB Pant
Hospital, said. Dr Bismah said going through legal procedures had become mandatory
for adoption. “Since we frequently come across cases of abandonment of babies, specially girls, we go through legal formalities. As per rules, if biological parents turn up to take custody of a girl within a specified period of time, she has to be returned,” she said. Doctors posted at the
hospital expressed shock over the negative approach of people towards girls, which they said was
leading to their abandonment. “Over past few months, we have come across cases of abandonment of only infant girls, which is really shameful. People have turned blind to the sufferings of girls. The decline in the sex ratio is an indication of the same,” Dr Muhammad Salim Khan, Deputy Medical Superintendent, GB Pant Hospital, said. Around four months back, an infant girl with a cleft lip and palate was found deserted in a corridor of the hospital by a
staff member. |
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Rusted grenade recovered in Rajouri
Rajouri, January 28 A bomb disposal squad of the Army later destroyed the grenade on the spot, the source said. A search operation has been launched by the police and the Army in the area
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Governor for protection of child rights
Jammu, January 28 He also highlighted the need for setting up a commission for protection of child rights in the state. The Governor emphasised the importance of spreading awareness in this regard for the protection of children’s rights, adding that NGOs and other social organisations can play an important role in supplementing the efforts being made to secure the objective. The Governor said he would talk to Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo regarding the suggestions made by Raina as their implementation would contribute towards advancing the rights of children in the state. Summons state legislature
on February 28 The Governor, in an exercise of the powers conferred upon him under Section 53 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, has summoned the state Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council to meet at Jammu on February 28 at 10.30 am. The Governor has called upon the members of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council to assemble in the Central Hall of the Legislature Building on the new secretariat premises to hear his address to both the Houses of the legislature under the provisions of sub-section (1) of Section 55 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir. After the address, each House of the legislature will meet as a separate body at the time specified by the Speaker or the Chairman, as may be the case. The Governor approved the proposal of the state government to this effect
today. Condoles Dansalia’s death The Governor has expressed grief an d sorrow over the death of Ghulam Mohammad Dansalia, a noted Dogri folk singer. He recalled Dansalia’s contribution to the Dogri folk and devotional music. |
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Hizb behind attacks on panchayat members Srinagar, January 28 A senior police officer said, “The attacks were carried out by the Hizbul Mujahideen and the militants have also been identified. The case is solved.” The officer said a group of local Hizbul Mujahideen militants were involved in the attacks which took place on two consecutive days. “They are five active militants, two of whom are directly involved. All (militants) are Sopore residents and have been active for three to four years,” the officer said. However, he said none of the militants involved in the attacks had been arrested so far. On January 11, Habibullah Mir, a sarpanch of Gooripora village near Sopore town, was shot dead by gunmen outside his house. A day later, gunmen shot at Zoona, a panch from Hardshiv village, injuring her critically. Soon after the attacks, the police had detained six people, including some former over ground workers of militant groups, all of whom were released after questioning. Sopore, 50 km from Srinagar, is considered to be Kashmir’s last militant stronghold where militancy is resilient despite major offensives by security forces. The attacks which killed Mir and left Zoona battling for life took place within the first fortnight of the new year.
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The first woman Indian Police Services (IPS) officer, Kiran Bedi, today pitched for the implementation of Justice Verma Committee recommendations in “letter and spirit” so that justice could be given to women against whom crimes have been committed.
Former IPS officer-turned-social activist said security personnel who are found involved in crimes against women (particularly those in disturbed areas) should be tried in civil courts.
The death of Indian prisoner Chamel Singh, who was reportedly beaten up by staff of the Kot Lakhpat jail in Pakistan, has snowballed into a controversy, with his family requesting the Union Government to intervene and help bring back his body from the neighbouring country.
The bus service was suspended after two Indian soldiers were brutally killed by Pakistani troops on January 8. 
