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Kashmir remains shut for third day against Ramban killings
Ramban back to normal, shutdown in Gool continues
Credibility deficit worries BJP
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Social networking sites being misused
BSF Special DG leaves after preliminary probe
Ganderbal protests desecration
Governor reviews Regional Science Congress arrangements
School Education Dept yet to adjust newly promoted teachers
1,300 kanals of state land under illegal occupation outside J&K
Omar govt failed to protect rights of minorities: BJP
Fall in tourist arrivals to Valley leads to reduction in airfares
State unhappy with fund amount under horticulture mission
Teachers want team of experts to monitor mid-day meals
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Kashmir remains shut for third day against Ramban killings
Srinagar, July 21 The shutdown was marked by stone-throwing clashes between youths and police and paramilitary personnel at several places, including downtown neighbourhoods in the city. The commercial nerve centre of the city, Lal Chowk, and its adjoining markets remained shut as roads remained deserted across the region. Public transport services on all inter-district and intra-district routes remained grounded for the third consecutive day in the region. The authorities continued the imposition of restrictions and maintained deployment of police and paramilitary personnel in several parts of the region while restrictions were eased in uptown localities of the city. The three-day shutdown called by a hardline separatist group began on Friday. Business in Kashmir was likely to be resumed from Monday morning as no group issued an appeal to extend the shutdown. Protests were reported from several localities in downtown Srinagar as youths threw stones on police and paramilitary personnel, who fired tear-gas shells and shot from pellet guns at the protesters. Protests were reported from Kani Kadal, Chhota Bazar, Habba Kadal, Saraf Kadal, Fateh Kadal, Noor Bagh and Rajouri Kadal localities of the old city. In north Kashmir, protesters threw stones on police and paramilitary personnel in Baramulla and Sumbal. In south Kashmir, similar clashes were reported from Tral and Shopian. Hundreds of residents demonstrated in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir. A resident of Baramulla town said three youths were injured from pellet shots during the protests. The exact number of injuries in today's protests was not known so far. The police said 76 persons, including 64 state and Central police personnel, had been injured during protests in the last two days. |
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Ramban back to normal, shutdown in Gool continues
Jammu, July 21 “By and large, normalcy has returned to Ramban district, but Gool, Sangaldan and Dharam remained shut and witnessed sporadic protests,” said a civil administration official from Ramban. He said Banihal on the Kashmir highway remained opened. He said the new DC of Ramban, Mohammed Hussain Malik, today visited Gool and met prominent citizens. He assured stern action against the guilty, including an officer at the Sangaldan police post who allegedly opened fire on the mob in the second attack around 9:30 am on July 18, that led to clashes, said the official. The police officer was kept at the Ramban District Police Lines. “The DC assured the people that a trial of the guilty would be initiated at the earliest to ensure justice,” said Ghulam Ahmed, a local resident. He said curfew had been lifted in the Ramban district and life was back to normal. Three days since the incident, none from the state government had so far come up with the sequence of events. The official account had come only from the BSF Jammu Frontier Inspector-General Rajeev Krishna, who said the BSF and police personnel acted in self-defence. Police and BSF sources admitted that the police officer from Sangaldan had opened fire in the second attack on the BSF camp at Dharam around 9:30 am. BSF border guard Ram Hari had said he sustained a bullet injury in the stomach from a shot fired from the crowd in the first attack around 6:30 am. |
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Credibility deficit worries BJP
Jammu, July 21 The party cadre is not ready to repose faith on the incumbent leadership after the cross-voting episode of April 13, 2011, despite the fact that the party had expelled seven of its MLAs after that episode. Insiders in the BJP said the biggest challenge before newly appointed in charge of J&K BJP Avinash Rai Khanna, who is a Rajya Sabha member from Punjab, is to build image of the party among the masses and to restore confidence of the cadre. “After appointment, Khanna has convened a number of meetings to strengthen party at the grassroots, but the ghost of cross-voting is still haunting the BJP,” sources said. They added, “Although loyalists of local BJP leaders are claiming that the party has been cleaned after expelling seven MLAs, a majority of party supporters have convened the feeling to the Central leadership that the incumbent BJP leadership is not in a position to effectively counter the National Conference or the Congress in the state.” Sources said during his introductory meetings with party workers, Khanna had faced question of credibility deficit because grassroots party workers questioned credibility of the party leaders who were at the helm of the affairs. “Party cadre is not ready to give a clean chit to the four BJP MLAs who were singled out as loyalists by the high command after the cross-voting episode”, sources said. They added that even office-bearers of some Sangh Parivar organisations had raised questions over credentials of some BJP leaders who had been staking their claim to Lok Sabha seats. After the cross-voting episode, the Central leadership has changed as many as four in charges of the J&K BJP, but nothing positive has emerged. There is a feeling among party cadre and supporters that some leaders with doubtful credentials are still enjoying important positions in the party. Some supporters reportedly told a senior Central leader that without overhauling it was not possible to earn credibility. |
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Social networking sites being misused
Jammu, July 21 Just after the firing, some persons started reacting on social networking sites and spreading rumours without going through facts and figures. Saurabh Kapoor, a Jammu University scholar, said, "The sites are for entertainment and keeping in touch with friends who are away from us. Some persons are exploiting the sites for their interest and provoking the people." He added, "When the government bans SMSes and other things in the state to curtail these activities, they raise their voice against the government," he added. The persons posting inappropriate comments on the sites include political leaders, hardcore separatists, students and journalists. Vinayak Puri, a local resident, said, "I am secular and have great respect for all religions. When such content appears on the homepage of our accounts, we are helpless and have no option but to crib." He added, "Our constitution gives us freedom of speech, but we should control rumour-mongering. The government should keep a strict vigil on the sites and persons doing the mischief should be taken to task." When contacted, Rajesh Kumar, Inspector-General of Police, Jammu region, said, "I will check who are posting such things on social networking sites. We will take action after checking the content." |
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BSF Special DG leaves after preliminary probe
Jammu, July 21 He flew back to New Delhi around 1 pm. He would submit a detailed inquiry report in a sealed envelope to Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, said BSF sources. “He was here following a probe ordered by the Union Home Minister. He visited Ground Zero where the BSF post was attacked by a mob on July 18. He was given a detailed account of the sequence of events that led to the incident,” they said. He had met civilians and police and BSF officers to know the circumstances that led to the clashes, the sources said. “He took statements of the patrol party of the 76 Battalion that had intercepted Mohammed Latief, who had later accused BSF personnel of desecrating a holy book,” they added. The 76 Battalion produced pictorial evidence of attacks, they said. Trivedi spoke to police and civilian officers, including the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police of Ramban district, they added. |
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Ganderbal protests desecration
Srinagar, July 21 “This morning, we found desecrated a religious place at Saloora Ganderbal. A police belt and a shoe was found outside the religious place,” said a resident of Ganderbal. As the news spread, local residents came on the streets and staged a demonstration. The police claimed that initial investigations revealed that two drug addicts of the village were involved in the act. “Residents of Saloora Ganderbal informed the police about the incident this morning. The police reached the spot and assured the people that the miscreants would be brought to book,” said a police spokesman. “A case has been registered and investigations started. Initial investigations reveal that two drug addicts of the village are involved in the act,” he added. A senior police officer said the miscreants were trying to create tension. Meanwhile, tension gripped Budgam district over clashes between two sects. The police said the situation in Budgam was under control. |
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Governor reviews Regional Science Congress arrangements
Srinagar, July 21 President of the Indian Science Congress Association RC Sobti said the Regional Science Congress, preparatory of the Indian Science Congress, would be held at Kashmir University in Srinagar in the last week of September. Over 100 scientists will participate in the event. The vice-chancellors of all nine universities of the state, Director, SKIMS, Srinagar, Director, IIIM, Jammu, Director, NIT, Srinagar, principals of medical colleges at Jammu and Srinagar, Principal of the College of Engineering and Technology, Jammu, and Director, Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Srinagar, attended the meeting. The Governor impressed upon the Vice-Chancellors and the heads of various institutions to join hands for organising the mega scientific event in a befitting manner. He said the event was important because it was being held for the first time in the state. The event would provide a historical opportunity to the students and scientists to display their talent and scientific skills, he said. Vohra emphasised the need for encouraging scientists at various universities of the state for presenting their papers and participating in the working sessions of the Science Congress. He also exhorted the Vice-Chancellors of the two state agriculture universities to identify themes that were specific to Jammu and Kashmir. He observed that climate change and global warming could be among the areas of focus at the Science Congress. Sobti said more than 10,000 scientists, including a large number of top scientists from the country and outside, were likely to participate in the 101st Indian Science Congress. He said the main activities of the event would comprise inaugural ceremony, 14 parallel sessions on identified themes, science communicators’ meet, women science congress, children science congress, science exhibition, book exhibition and valedictory function. |
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School Education Dept yet to adjust newly promoted teachers
Jammu, July 21 A new list is now being prepared by the present director but has not been finalised yet, which is irking teachers. A few months back, the school education department had promoted hundreds of teachers to master grade but so far these teachers have not been adjusted anywhere and are still working under the teacher grade scale. “This is very disturbing that we are not being adjusted against any master grade posts despite the fact that the list was issued by the School Education Department way back. The delay is causing a loss to us,” said a teacher, who has been promoted to master grade. “We are still getting salaries according to our previous grade. If we have been promoted to master grade, our salary should be given as per the new grade,” he added. A few teachers have approached the court against the School Education Department’s delaying tactics. Sources said there were some blue-eyed teachers who wanted some prime postings and did not want to leave the schools they were presently posted in. “They are putting political pressure to get the postings. Even some officials within the department are also trying to adjust their aides in prime areas,” said a source. “I can’t comment upon the political interference but we are finalising the list. In a few days, we hope to adjust these teachers,” said PK Pole, Director, School Education, Jammu. However, he was not able to respond as why three lists, prepared by earlier directors, were rejected by the School Education Minister. The Education Department is facing the problem that master grade vacancies are in far-off districts such as Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch and most of the promoted teachers are from the plains of Jammu, who do not prefer to go to these areas. “There are many issues which we are trying to sort out. Our priority is to put women teachers on posts near their homes. We also have to repatriate teachers posted in other districts for years who want to get posted in their respective districts,” Pole said.
This is very disturbing that we are not being adjusted against master grade posts despite the fact that the list was issued by the School Education Department way back. The delay is causing a loss to us
I can’t comment upon the political interference but we are finalising the list. In a few days, we hope to adjust these teachers...There are many issues which we are trying to sort out. Our priority is to put women teachers on posts near their homes. We also have to repatriate teachers posted in other districts for years who want to get posted in their respective districts |
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1,300 kanals of state land under illegal occupation outside J&K
Jammu, July 21 Official document states that 1,300 kanals of prime land, owned by Jammu and Kashmir outside the state, has been illegally occupied by some private entities or other state governments and agencies. Furthermore, buildings and other assets belonging to the state are under illegal occupation in various states as the lease deeds signed with the parties in most cases have expired. “We have decided to retrieve all the land as well as buildings and other assets so as to utilise the same for the benefit of the common man,” the Chairman of the Legislative Council, who visited New Delhi today to inspect state government’s land at Rajaji Marg, told The Tribune. “Our prime land at Mumbai, Chandigarh, Delhi, Sirsa and Amritsar has been illegally occupied. We will retrieve this land and utilise the same to provide accommodation to patients who usually visit Mumbai, Chandigarh and Delhi for advanced treatment,” he said and disclosed that the visit of the House Committee of the Legislative Council was a first step and that it would soon visit Chandigarh, Mumbai and Amritsar. Following the resentment of the members against failure of the state government to retrieve the encroached properties, Chairman of the Legislative Council had constituted a House Committee on April 16 to look into the issue of restoration of state properties at New Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Sirsa, Amritsar and other cities. Highly placed sources said instead of depending on the House Committee to prepare the report, the Chairman has himself decided to take the initiative. The committee visited Rajaji Marg and 5-Prithvi Raj Road to inspect the assets. It made certain observations and directed the officials concerned to come up with a comprehensive plan to make optimal use of the land. Major chunk of state land in New Delhi occupied by Army Srinagar: The state owns 114 kanals of land in New Delhi, out of which 97 kanals are under the occupation of the Army. “The House Committee of the J&K Legislative Council was apprised (during a meeting held today at New Delhi) that the state has the ownership of 114 kanals of land at Rajaji
Marg, New Delhi, out of which a considerable chunk of the prime land, measuring 97
kanals, is under the occupation of the Army. The remaining 17 kanals of land is under the possession of the state government. The committee was further apprised that the state government has been making efforts to retrieve the property from the Army but no headway has been made so far,” an official spokesman said. The committee opined that the state government must maintain the standards of its offices and residential accommodations in New Delhi according to the norms of a metropolitan city and also create adequate accommodations for those visiting from the state. |
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Omar govt failed to protect rights of minorities: BJP
Jammu, July 21 Former Lok Sabha member, veteran Buddhist leader and BJP national executive member Thupstang Chewang alleged that the state government had failed to protect rights of ethnic and religious minorities of the state. He alleged that the state police had resorted to unprovoked firing and lathicharge on Buddhists who were peacefully protesting at Zanskar on Saturday. He further alleged that with the connivance of some local leaders, activists of pro-Pakistan Hurriyat Conference had intensified their activities to spoil the peaceful atmosphere in Ladakh. He asked the Union Government to keep a check on the activities of Hurriyat leaders in the region so as to maintain communal harmony and brotherhood. Rajya Sabha member and state BJP in charge Avinash Rai Khanna, while expressing his concern over the Zanksar incident, said the Omar Abdullah-led state government had failed to perform its duty. He said the religious and ethnic minorities were feeling insecure in the state as there was competition among Kashmir-centric ruling parties as well as in the Opposition to appease the separatists and other anti-Indian forces. He alleged that the unprovoked lathicharge on Buddhists was a clear indication that the state government wanted to gag the minorities through oppressive means.
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Fall in tourist arrivals to Valley leads to reduction in airfares
Srinagar, July 21 Due to restrictions on the movement of tourists following curfew and shutdowns in the aftermath of the Ramban killings, arrivals have seen a dip, that has led to a fall in airfares. The airfare to New Delhi after the Ramban incident is around Rs 4,000, which was above Rs 10,000 not long ago. The New Delhi-Srinagar airfare had crossed Rs 15,000 for a while in June, said travel agent Gulzar Ahmad. People were complaining that a trip to Kashmir had become more expensive than a foreign trip. He said fares were likely to dip further in case the situation did not improve. The fares would go up if the situation improved, he added. There was movement of tourists at a few tourist spots, especially the Boulevard Road on the banks of the Dal Lake, today compared to the last two days when visitors were directed not to leave the hotels. The stakeholders said many had cut short their visit while others had put on hold their Kashmir holiday plan. Many tourists were here, but others had cut short their tour and left while others had postponed their trip, said Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Federation president Faiz Bakshi. Another hotelier said news from the Valley had created panic among travellers and that was why several had cancelled or postponed their trips. He said due to curfew, restrictions and shutdowns over the last three days, tourists had been advised to stay indoors, which had affected their holidaying. Tourist Rajesh, who was seen on the banks of the Dal Lake, said they were waiting for the situation to improve so that they could carry on sightseeing. "We are eagerly waiting for the situation to improve so that we can go around freely," he said. While the Valley had witnessed a tourist footfall during the last two years, the sector had been hit
in the aftermath of the execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru in February. Even though the sector had revived later with the increase in tourist arrivals, the government had to postpone the Gurez tourism festival after the killing of two youths in Bandipora district last month. Officials remained tight-lipped over tourist inflow
this year. |
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State unhappy with fund amount under horticulture mission
Jammu, July 21 The state government is contemplating to lodge its protest with the Union Government and may soon submit a “strong-worded note” to the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Union Ministry of Agriculture - which is implementing the scheme - with a request for hike in the funds so that the horticulture sector could be given a boost. Apart from Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand come under the ambit of the Centrally sponsored scheme. The mission addresses entire spectrum of the horticulture sector --- from production to consumption through backward and forward linkages. Official sources said the Union Ministry of Agriculture recently released a "meagre" amount of Rs 7.95 crore as the first instalment for 2013-14 to the state for implementing different components of the scheme. “Despite the fact that the state has a great potential in the horticulture sector, the insufficient funds provided by the Government of India for its promotion are creating obstacles in achieving the objectives of the scheme. The mission is to improve the production and productivity of horticulture crops by harnessing the potential of the region. Emphasis has to be laid on achieving low volume, high value, less perishable horticulture crops and a horticulture-based farming system, thereby providing viable and ample opportunities for employment, specially for women, besides improving the productivity of the land,” said a source. Dissatisfied with the allocation to the state, Minister of State for Horticulture Nazir Ahmad Gurezi told The Tribune that his department was planning to send a note to the Government of India and would demand an increase in the funds. “The yearly allocation under the mission from the Centre is Rs 550 crore for three Himalayan states, including J&K, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Unfortunately, Jammu and Kashmir is being allocated a meagre Rs 20 crore while the remaining funds are being provided to Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, which amounts to discrimination with the state,” the minister said. The minister said the total horticulture production of these three states was 31 lakh tonnes. “Jammu and Kashmir alone is contributing around 21 lakh tonnes. The Government of India should seriously look into the matter and consider our demand for the enhancement of annual allocation of funds under the mission,” Gurezi said. |
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Teachers want team of experts to monitor mid-day meals
Srinagar, July 21 “We want the state government to constitute a special monitoring team comprising a nutritionist, food inspector, dietitian, doctor and members of a drug testing laboratory so that they can keep a check on the quality of food being served to children," said Jasmeet Singh Madan, state president, Teachers Welfare Association. Shockingly, in a few pockets in the state, government schoolteachers were recently found eating mid-day meals of students, which prompted the authorities to take action against them. Official sources said the Chief Education Officer in Budgam district of central Kashmir had taken a serious note of this violation by teaching staff at some primary schools and had ordered their transfers. Sources said students in these schools were given leftovers after teachers consumed these meals. According to norms, these meals are to be served only to children from classes I to VIII. Various civil society forums and teachers' associations have been demanding setting up of an expert committee for monitoring the scheme but the authorities maintain that a proper surveillance system is already in place. “The rice ration for the mid-day meals is provided by the Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution department (CAPD), which is tested and is of fine quality. We have introduced a fair and transparent system of online tendering for mid-day meals,” Director School Education, Kashmir, Mir Tariq, claimed. He said various Village Education Committees were also monitoring the mid-day meals served in schools along with Zonal Education Officers. “We will make the heads of institutions accountable for any discrepancies found in the scheme and stern action will be taken against erring teachers,” Mir said. Each government school in the state has an in charge of the scheme. He buys food items, including pulses, vegetables and spices, from markets at wholesale rates. These food items are not tested in any laboratory. Only rice is supplied for free by the CAPD. For each student of primary and middle schools, Rs 3.11 and Rs 4.67, respectively, is provided for a meal per day. We want the state government to constitute a special monitoring team comprising a nutritionist, food inspector, dietitian, doctor and members of a drug testing laboratory so that they can keep a check on the quality of food being served to children We will make the heads of institutions accountable for any discrepancies found in the scheme and stern action will be taken against erring teachers |
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Srinagar, July 21
Jammu, July 21
Srinagar, July 21
