Snow cripples life in valley
Srinagar, February 4
Light to heavy snowfall last night hit normal life in north Kashmir. The snowfall forced closure of Karnah-Kupwara and Keran-Kupwara roads in the district. Power supply to most of the areas in Kupwara and Handwara towns remained affected till 3pm today.

Stranded trucks and passenger vehicles at Qazigund in Anantnag on Monday. Tribune photo: Amin War

Organisations slam Centre for ignoring Verma panel recommendations on AFSPA
Srinagar, February 4
The Central Government’s move to ignore Justice Verma Committee’s recommendation on AFSPA has drawn flak from several quarters in Kashmir. The Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has criticised the Central Government for “ignoring” the recommendations of Justice Verma Committee on Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), saying it has "exposed" the policy of the Union Government over Kashmir.

Met dept predicts more snow, rain in coming days
Srinagar, February 4
Parts of Kashmir received fresh snowfall overnight while most of the region was lashed with rain. The weather department says more is likely to follow in coming days. Snow was received in Gulmarg resort of north Kashmir and at Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir, an official of the state Meteorological Department said.

A family crosses the Dal Lake in a boat during rain in Srinagar on Monday. Tribune photo: Amin War

Two policemen suspended
Srinagar, February 4
The Jammu and Kashmir police has suspended two of its constables who were arrested on Friday for allegedly extorting money from local residents. A woman employee of the Social Welfare Department, who was also part of the extortion racket, was also arrested.

Artisan work on a piece of embroidery at a workshop in Srinagar on Monday. Photo: Yawar Kabli

Key posts vacant: Horticulture dept functioning takes a hit
Srinagar, February 4
The functioning of the Department of Horticulture Planning and Management (DHPM) has been severely affected due to key posts of deputy director lying vacant for the past one year. The posts of deputy director, Kashmir, Jammu, (divisional-level officers), deputy director, central, and deputy director, Delhi, are lying vacant for the past over one year, say sources.

To meet demand, varsity may start e-classes
Srinagar, February 4
The Kashmir University’s intake capacity is 1/8th of the number of applications it is likely to receive for the admissions to various post-graduate courses for the academic session 2013-14. The administrative officials are contemplating to receive about 45,000 application forms for 3,500 seats available in 37 post-graduate degree and diploma courses at the Kashmir university (KU).

Poor team performance to invite action against coaches
Jammu, February 4
Expressing concern over the pathetic performance of sportspersons from the state who continue to cut a sorry figure in the national championships, the J&K State Sports Council has put the entire blame on their coaches. The association claims that the coaches were not discharging their duties with dedication. The Sports Council had recently issued a circular to both State/Sports Authority of India (SAI) coaches to tighten the noose around them.

Crime rate fell slightly in Kashmir last year
Srinagar, February 4
The crime rate in Kashmir valley witnessed a slight dip last year as compared to 2011 with a total of 12,173 cases. While 12,173 cases were registered in the Valley in 2012, as many as 12,369 cases were registered in 2011, reveals official data. The maximum number of cases was registered in Srinagar. As many as 2,920 cases were registered here last year as compared to 3,029 in 2011.

Minister organises pre-budget discussion with stakeholders
Srinagar, February 4
Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs Abdul Rahim Rather chaired a seven-hour long pre-budget discussions with several stakeholders here today, an official said.

World cancer day
Footbridge lights up to give hope to patients
Srinagar, February 4
A footbridge on the Jhelum river lit up with candles here today after a group of local residents gathered to celebrate the World Cancer Day. While the day is celebrated throughout the world, cured cancer patients lit candles on a chilly winter evening on the footbridge near Lal Mandi to create awareness about the disease.

Cured patients and local residents light candles on a footbridge on the Jhelum in Srinagar. Photo: Yawar Kabli

PDP chief seeks security for all-girl rock band
Anantnag, January 4
Backing Kashmir’s first all-girl rock band “Praagash”, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said the government should take the matter seriously and provide security to the girls.

J&K Bank net profit up by 36 per cent
Srinagar, February 4
The J&K Bank posted net profit of Rs 289.40 cr for the quarter ending December 2012, which is up by 35.75 per cent during the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year, the bank spokesman said here today. He said the bank was all set to achieve its business target of Rs 1 lakh crore and a profit of 1,000 crore by the end of this fiscal.

Ensure proper medical facilities, officials told
Srinagar, February 4
A day after four children got injured in a blast in Bandipore, the state government has asked the officials to ensure all possible medicare facilities to the injured persons.

Panchayat members protest against detention of sarpanch
Srinagar, February 4
A group of panchayat members today staged a protest in the town against the detention of a sarpanch in north Kashmir’s Bandipore district. The panchayat members from Sumbal, Bandipore, said the ruling government was troubling them one way or the other.

Panchayat members from Sumal in Bandipore district stage a protest in Srinagar on Monday. Tribune photo: Amin War

Woman succumbs to burns
Srinagar, February 4
A 28-year-old woman, who was being treated for over a week at a hospital in  the city, has succumbed to her injuries, the police today said. The woman, identified as Tasleem Akhtar, a resident of Ichgam village of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, was admitted to a hospital here on last Sunday. She was suffering from severe burn injuries when she was admitted to the hospital.

Ski camp gets under way
Srinagar, February 4
A two-week long ski camp organsied by the Army commenced in Gulmarg today. The camp was inaugurated in an impressive ceremony under the aegis of Baramulla-based Dagger Division.

Snow cripples life in valley
Karnah-Kupwara road closed; power supply disrupted
Amin Masoodi

Srinagar, February 4
Light to heavy snowfall last night hit normal life in north Kashmir. The snowfall forced closure of Karnah-Kupwara and Keran-Kupwara roads in the district. Power supply to most of the areas in Kupwara and Handwara towns remained affected till 3pm today.

Sources said power supply to many areas in Baramulla district also remained affected since last night. The district administration pressed at least 13 snow cutters into service to clear the snow from major roads in Kupwara district.

“Snow has been cleared from all major roads in the district. From early morning, nine snow cutters of Beacon and four from Roads and Buildings and Prime Minister Rojgar Yojana were pressed into service to clear the snow from roads,” Kupwara Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sarmad Hafeez told The Tribune.

At least three feet snow had accumulated on the Karnah-Kupwara road near high altitude Sadhna Top, sources said. “Snow cutters are clearing the road near Sadhna Top and TP near Chowkibal on the Karnah-Kupwara road. Snow is also being cleared from Keran-Kupwara road,” said the DC.

Sources said roads leading to Jadda, Jabri,Upper Methian, Shamas Pora Budwan and Charpoongi in bordering Karnah tehsil were also blocked for traffic due to snowfall last night. These areas in Karnah received around one feet of snow last night.

While major towns in north Kashmir received around 7 inch snow on ground till this evening, around one feet snow accumulated in upper reaches of the district.

Sources said two trucks carrying vegetables and fruits on their way to bordering Karnah remained stranded near Sadhna Top on the Karnah-Kupwara road due to snowfall.

Shakti Vijay Brigade of the Army in bordering Tangdhar area of Karnah tehsil rescued at least 13 passengers, including three women, when their vehicles got stranded near Sadhna Top. The passengers were on their way to Karnah from Kupwara when heavy snowfall blocked the road for traffic.

An Army post provided shelter and food to the stranded passengers for the night at Sadhna Top as they reached their respective destinations in Karnah on foot today.

Many passengers, including women who had to leave for Karnah and Keran, remained stranded in Kupwara due to closure of road. “We are eagerly waiting for the road to open,” said Wasim Khan of Gabra village in Karnah. In other major towns like Handwara, Baramulla, Sopore, Bandipora and Kralpora, six to seven inch snow was recorded till this evening, sources said.

A senior official of the Power Department, Kupwara, said, “The supply has been restored to normal in almost all major towns of the district. We are working hard to restore it in upper reaches but the restoration may take some more time as electric poles at some places have got uprooted due to heavy snowfall.” 

Organisations slam Centre for ignoring Verma panel recommendations on AFSPA
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 4
The Central Government’s move to ignore Justice Verma Committee’s recommendation on AFSPA has drawn flak from several quarters in Kashmir. The Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has criticised the Central Government for “ignoring” the recommendations of Justice Verma Committee on Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), saying it has "exposed" the policy of the Union Government over Kashmir.

The committee had proposed to take immunity away from the AFSPA as far as alleged sexual violence and crimes against women committed by personnel of the armed forces are concerned.

“The rejection of Justice Verma Committee’s recommendations on AFSPA and prosecution of armed forces personnel involved in sexual offences has exposed the government both at internal as well as external level. It has brought to fore the real face of the Government of India,” a spokesman of the Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said in a statement here.

He said the Centre had adopted a “dual policy” over Kashmir and instead of solving the Kashmir issue, it had always “attempted to suppress the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people by force”.

The Hurriyat faction led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani also “slammed” the Central Government for what it calls “ignoring” certain recommendations of the Verma panel report.

“It (ignoring Verma panel recommendations) has exposed the Central Government. There is no doubt that it (Centre) stands for maintaining colonial symbols and has granted impunity to its forces under the garb of AFSPA”, said Ayaz Akbar, a spokesman of Geelani led-Hurriyat, in a statement.

On Sunday, while welcoming the prompt follow up action on the Justice Verma Committee report, People’s Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had regretted the government’s attitude towards the panel’s recommendations on AFSPA.

“This is clearly a case of double standards and reflects poorly on our national resolve to uphold women’s dignity and rights without discrimination,” Mufti had said while addressing a public meeting in the Marh Assembly segment in Jammu on February 3.

In a separate statement, Kashmir-based Kashmir Centre for Social and Developmental Studies (KCSDS) has also slammed the Government of India over its proposed ordinance on crime against women.

“By bringing out an ordinance hurriedly as a lukewarm response to the huge public outcry against the existing environment of insecurity and lack of safety, the government has tried to bury Verma Commission recommendations which could bring about genuine changes to ensure the dignity, autonomy and integrity of women‘s selfhood in the family, public places and in society at large.” KCSDS chairperson Hameeda Nayeem said in a statement.

Met dept predicts more snow, rain in coming days
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 4
Parts of Kashmir received fresh snowfall overnight while most of the region was lashed with rain. The weather department says more is likely to follow in coming days. Snow was received in Gulmarg resort of north Kashmir and at Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir, an official of the state Meteorological Department said.

The official said it was still snowing in Gulmarg till late in the evening.

Light snow was also recorded in Kupwara district and in areas in south Kashmir along the vital Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

Most parts of the region, however, were lashed with rain, the official said. He said moderate rainfall was recorded in nearly all major town of Kashmir Valley.

The weather department said more precipitation was likely to occur in next 24 hours. “Moderate to heavy rain and snow would occur at most places over the state in the next 24 hours,” the weather department said in its forecast bulletin.

The department warned there would be heavy rain and snowfall at a few places in the state during next 24 hours. In an advisory issued last week, the department had warned of a severe western disturbance system approaching over the state which would affect the climate for four days this week.

The system was supposed to affect the state and its adjoining areas from yesterday evening till the morning of January 7 (Thursday). “Main activity” would occur on Tuesday and Wednesday, the weather department said in the advisory.

Two policemen suspended
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 4
The Jammu and Kashmir police has suspended two of its constables who were arrested on Friday for allegedly extorting money from local residents. A woman employee of the Social Welfare Department, who was also part of the extortion racket, was also arrested.

"The two police constables, identified as Farooq Ahmed and Mohammad Ishaq, have been suspended after their arrest,” said a police spokesman in Srinagar today.

The two constables were posted in Sadder Police Station and have been sent to 10 days police custody.

Sources said the two constables and the woman employee had formed a gang and were duping people and later extorting money from them.

“Their modus operandi was that the woman would first lure people and then allege molestation bid. She later used to call the two policemen who would blackmail the ‘victim’ after extorting hefty amount,” said a police officer.

During questioning, the police said the name of a second woman had also appeared and they were trying to locate her.

Sources said the woman employee had come in contact with the constables as she used to visit the police station where a case was already registered against her.

The case came to light last week after a local resident lodged a complaint with the police alleging that he was duped by a woman and the to constables who took money from him. Soon after the compliant was lodged, the police investigated the matter and found that the two constables were part of the racket. The three including the policemen were later detained.

Key posts vacant: Horticulture dept functioning takes a hit
Amin Masoodi

Srinagar, February 4
The functioning of the Department of Horticulture Planning and Management (DHPM) has been severely affected due to key posts of deputy director lying vacant for the past one year. The posts of deputy director, Kashmir, Jammu, (divisional-level officers), deputy director, central, and deputy director, Delhi, are lying vacant for the past over one year, say sources.

What makes the matters worse is the fact that 11 posts of area marketing officers (AMOs), district-level officers and some assistant directors are also lying vacant for the past two years.

“The department is virtually handicapped due to a large number of key posts lying vacant for the past over two years. The shortage of man power has severely affected the functioning of the department in state and outside,” said an official. The DHPM is entrusted with providing marketing facilities and promoting horticulture marketing trade by establishing fruit and vegetable markets at the doorstep of fruit growers in the state.

The post of deputy director, Kashmir, fell vacant following the retirement of the said officer in December 2011 and the said post for Jammu province fell vacant following the retirement of the officer in February last year, sources said. Similarly, the position of deputy director, central, fell vacant following retirement of the said officer in August last year and deputy director, Delhi, was elevated to the position of joint director following which the position was lying vacant since September last year.

In addition, post of AMOs in Udhampur, Pulwama, Chanie, Lucknow, Patna, Amritsar, Jaipur, Bangalore, and a few assistant director marketing and transport are also lying vacant. The posts of AMOs and assistant directors have not been filled as the department has not issued seniority list of gazzetted cadre officers since 1997.

“In spite of a direction from the high court, the department has not issued the seniority list for the past over 14 years,” said the official.

“The authorities have ignored the vital department on all fronts, including infrastructure and man power, which has not only affected the functioning of the department but also the livelihood means of thousands of fruit and vegetable growers,” said a senior employee.

To meet demand, varsity may start e-classes
Without any change in campus intake capacity, remaining aspirants to be fit in virtual classrooms
Bismah Malik
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 4
The Kashmir University’s intake capacity is 1/8th of the number of applications it is likely to receive for the admissions to various post-graduate courses for the academic session 2013-14. The administrative officials are contemplating to receive about 45,000 application forms for 3,500 seats available in 37 post-graduate degree and diploma courses at the Kashmir university (KU).

Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad said a total of 35,000 application forms were received for 3,500 seats in the last academic session (2012-13).

“The number of applications we received was ten times the number of seats available,” Prof Talat said, adding that the varsity had not added to any number of seats for teaching various PG courses in the main campus.

Prof Talat said the Kashmir University had, however, established satellite campuses in various areas of north, south Kashmir districts and Leh division.

He said the University was also mulling to start e-classes (virtual classrooms) for addressing the demands of thousands of aspirants. “We are trying our level best to meet their demands. However, there is rare possibility of an increase in the intake capacity of seats,” Prof Talat said.

Meanwhile, the academicians describe the limited academic capacity of the Kashmir University as a negative trend which leads to wealth and brain drain from the Valley.

“Thousands of students, who do not get admission to these courses, seek admission for the courses outside the state in the private colleges where they have to pay hefty amounts for admission. The chances of these students returning to the Valley and working here are very less. This results in wealth and brain drain from the Valley,” Prof Maroofa, a senior academician said.

With a batch of 20, 360 students have graduated from various colleges this year. Experts said the completion, which was merit-based for the entry to the varsity, was definitely soaring.

“We should keep in mind those aspirants, who despite having got admission to the KU during the last year would try again. This year, the completion bar is raising, the number of students, who apply every year are increasing and seats availability remains the same. That is the irony,” a senior administrative official at KU said.

Poor team performance to invite action against coaches
Vikas Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 4
Expressing concern over the pathetic performance of sportspersons from the state who continue to cut a sorry figure in the national championships, the J&K State Sports Council has put the entire blame on their coaches. The association claims that the coaches were not discharging their duties with dedication. The Sports Council had recently issued a circular to both State/Sports Authority of India (SAI) coaches to tighten the noose around them.

“It has been observed that the working of the coaches at different centres has been criticised as most of the coaches do not work with honesty, dedication, devotion and sincerity to achieve the targets and optimum performance of the budding youth,” the circular stated.

Sources said the aim behind notice on the managers, in-charge and assistant managers concerned was to inform that the axe was likely to fall on those coaches who failed to deliver goods. The circular stated the coaches would impart coaching in both morning and evening sessions as per the schedule submitted by them and that too in proper kits during coaching hours.

The coaches are also directed to seek the proper permission from the competent authority to take the assignment outside their coaching centres. Further, they are also advised to maintain proper register of the trainees of their respective coaching centres besides making the attendance of the trainees during coaching.

The Sports Council also took a serious note regarding delay in submission of monthly work diary.

Sources said it was found that the coaches were not completing their work diaries and were misleading the authorities concerned. But now, all the coaches have been instructed to submit the monthly work diary before the third of every month to the respective manager/in-charge and assistant manager. The coaches have also been told to avoid attending parents of their trainees and guests while imparting coaching.

The coaches have also been cautioned not to talk to the media and be active during coaching hours.

Crime rate fell slightly in Kashmir last year
Srinagar had recorded highest number of cases
M Aamir Khan
Tribune News Service

Minister organises pre-budget discussion with stakeholders
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 4
Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs Abdul Rahim Rather chaired a seven-hour long pre-budget discussions with several stakeholders here today, an official said. The meeting, besides senior government officials was attended by representatives of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI), Kashmir Hotel Restaurant Owners Federation (KHAROF), Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Associations (KHARA), Kashmir Traders & Manufacturers Federation (KTME), Federation Chamber of Industries, Kashmir (FCI), Transporters Federation, Goods carriers Transport Association and the Association of Kashmir Motors and Drivers Association.

Rather assured the stakeholders that the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode for undertaking mega projects and schemes would be on priority.

“Main demands which were made during the pre-budget discussions included VAT exemption on handicrafts, including handmade walnut wood carved furniture, make-ups of chain stitch and raw pashmina wool, making Kashmir a free economic zone, budgetary intervention for promotion of the MSME sector, promotion of handlooms, food processing,” an official said.

He said other demands included construction of mini-power projects under the PPP mode, setting up of a single toll plaza at lower Munda for general trade, creation of VAT return filing facilitators on the pattern of income tax facilitators, VAT rebate on items needed for consumption in hotel and restaurant sector, exemption of service tax on room rent, implementation of 30 per cent Capital Outright Investment, subsidy to the existing tourism infrastructure and treating tourism industry at par with small scale industries.

Rather assured the stakeholders that all the possibilities would be explored to make the next year’s budget proposal more people and trader friendly.

World cancer day
Footbridge lights up to give hope to patients
Tribune News Service

PDP chief seeks security for all-girl rock band
Our Correspondent

Anantnag, January 4
Backing Kashmir’s first all-girl rock band “Praagash”, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said the government should take the matter seriously and provide security to the girls.

“Kashmir has a history of producing great female Sufi singers like Raj Begum, Zoona Begum and Padmashri awardee Shameema Azad. There should not be any curbs on these little girls with immense talent,” Mehbooba said while interacting with mediapersons on the sidelines of a public rally here in Achabal area of south Kashmir.

She said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should take the responsibility and make sure that the fringe elements creating hurdles for these girls were strictly dealt with.

When asked about the fatwa issued against the rock band by one of the clerics, calling their acts anti-Islamic, Mehbooba said she would rather chose not to comment on that.

“It’s a religious matter and I don’t know the context in which the fatwa has been issued. I will rather not comment on the issue,” said the PDP president.

Kashmir’s first ever all-girl rock band has been in news for more than a week after their photographs, on some social networking sites, received praises as well as severe criticism.

While the band has received support from many sections of the society, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, some people at the same time have come out all guns blazing against the girls, terming their acts anti-Islamic and immoral.

The latest to join in was Kashmir’s Grand Mufti Bashir-ud-din Ahmad, who went to the extent of issuing a fatwa against the girls.

Mehbooba Mufti said the resolution of Kashmir’s problem and good governance had to go hand in hand for a peaceful and prosperous state.

Mehbooba said keeping the peculiar situation of the state in mind, the PDP had adopted an agenda which had the potential of addressing all the dimensions of the Kashmir issue and also providing a better, transparent and accountable system of governance.

J&K Bank net profit up by 36 per cent
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 4
The J&K Bank posted net profit of Rs 289.40 cr for the quarter ending December 2012, which is up by 35.75 per cent during the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year, the bank spokesman said here today. He said the bank was all set to achieve its business target of Rs 1 lakh crore and a profit of 1,000 crore by the end of this fiscal.

“The total business of the bank reached Rs 92,732 cr, which is up by 18.11 percent as compared to Rs 78,513 cr recorded during the corresponding period of the previous year. The deposits grew by 17 per cent for Q3FY13 to stand at Rs 57,074.55 crore as against Rs 48,778.94 crore for Q3FY12,” the spokesman added.

Mushtaq Ahmad, chairman and CEO of the bank, said: “We have continued with our growth momentum this quarter, as well. We have significantly improved our corporate, retail and treasury banking portfolios. Compared to last two quarters, we have brought down cost of deposits that facilitated us better advancing. This quarter’s net interest margin (NIM) has been the best in a last few quarters.”

“During the last 12 months, our business has grown by more than 14,000 cr which means Rs 1150 cr for every month. Besides, we have opened 100 new business units and 120 ATMs,” he said.

Ensure proper medical facilities, officials told
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 4
A day after four children got injured in a blast in Bandipore, the state government has asked the officials to ensure all possible medicare facilities to the injured persons.

An official spokesman said Minister of State for Health Shabir Ahmed Khan while expressing his grief and sorrow over the blast at Aragam, Chatibandi, asked the director, Health Services, Kashmir and chief medical officer, Bandipora, to ensure all possible medicare facilities to the injured persons.

Member Legislative Assembly, Bandipora, Nizam-ud-Din Bhat had called on the Health Minister and urged for proper treatment to the injured to ensure early recovery.

Four children, identified as Amjad, son of Ghulam Noorani, Momin Rather, son of Ghulam Qadir, Qaiser and Mehrajudin, son of Shameem Ahmed, were injured when a blast took place when they were fiddling with a mysterious object in a paddy field on Sunday. All the four children were between the age group of four and eight.

Local residents said, they had in past, informed the local administration about the abandoned shells in the area, but they had done nothing to clear them.

Panchayat members protest against detention of sarpanch
Tribune News Service

Woman succumbs to burns
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 4
A 28-year-old woman, who was being treated for over a week at a hospital in  the city, has succumbed to her injuries, the police today said. The woman, identified as Tasleem Akhtar, a resident of Ichgam village of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, was admitted to a hospital here on last Sunday. She was suffering from severe burn injuries when she was admitted to the hospital.

The parents of the woman alleged that she was burnt by her in-laws, a police spokesman said.

The police registered a case and investigating the circumstances under which the woman suffered injuries, the spokesman said.

Residents of the village had protested last week demanding action against the family accusing them of torturing their 28-year-old daughter-in-law.

Ski camp gets under way
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 4
A two-week long ski camp organsied by the Army commenced in Gulmarg today. The camp was inaugurated in an impressive ceremony under the aegis of Baramulla-based Dagger Division.

An Army spokesman said two ski camps had been planned under the Operation Sadbhavana of one-week duration each this year.

“Children from remote and far-flung areas of Baramulla district will be taught and trained on skiing. The initiative is aimed at exposing the youth, the future of tomorrow’s Kashmir to the adventure sports which is still in the nascent stage and has tremendous potential for growth in Kashmir region of the J&K state,” the spokesman said.

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