The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Amarnath, Machail yatras from Jammu suspended Tribune News Service Jammu, August 10 Following violent clashes between two communities in Kishtwar, pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in South Kashmir Himalayas has been suspended from Jammu as a precautionary measure. The annual Machail yatra in Paddar area of Kishtwar has also been suspended for three days. “No fresh batch was allowed to move to the Amarnath cave shrine from Jammu today. Buddha Amaranth yatra continued with a batch of over 550 pilgrims leaving for the shrine of Lord Shiva in Mandi hills in Poonch, from Jammu,” the police said. The police said the annual Amarnath yatra, which will conclude on Raksha Bandhan (August 21), was suspended in view of the shutdown and tense situation triggered by communal clashes in Kishtwar. Protesters also blocked the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, which is the only road link connecting the Valley with the rest of the country, at several places. At least two persons were killed and 34 others injured yesterday after violent clashes between the two communities.
	BJP to take up Kishtwar riot issue at national level Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha to visit affected town today Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, August 10 As the Jammu bandh call given by the BJP received an “overwhelming” response, the party has decided to vociferously rake up the Kishtwar riot issue at the national level to retrieve its lost ground in the Jammu region. As there is strong resentment among people against the Kishtwar riots, the local party leadership has realised that it was an appropriate opportunity for them to improve its image by kick-starting an agitation for the “justice of riot victims”. Sources said the local BJP unit had asked the Central leadership to take up the issue at the national level to exert pressure on the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led government to fulfil demands of Kishtwar’s minority community. “We will take the fight for the justice of Kishtwar riot victims to its logical conclusion,” state BJP president Jugal Kishore Sharma told The Tribune while defending the decision to extend the Jammu bandh call by 72 hours. It was all due to the pressure of the local leadership that national BJP president Rajnath Singh has asked Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley to visit Kishtwar to assess the ground situation. “Arun Jaitley is visiting Kishtwar on Sunday. We are arranging a chartered plane for Jaitley to facilitate his visit,” the BJP state president confirmed. He said a high-level team would also accompany Jaitley to prepare a detailed report which would be later submitted to the national party president. “We have already given a memorandum to the state government to accept the demand of riot victims of Kishtwar,” he said. He announced that the party had decided to take all social, religious and traders’ organisations into confidence to intensify the agitation. After the cross-voting controversy in 2011, the state BJP's credibility had reached its lowest ebb and therefore the party has desperately being trying to gain the faith of people. The response of today’s bandh has encouraged the BJP to intensify the agitation. Meanwhile, a delegation of BJP leaders, which was on its way to Kishtwar, was stopped by the police at Batote on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. The delegation comprised Nirmal Singh, Jatinder Singh, Bali Bhagat, Chander Mohan Sharma, Munish Sharma and Pawan Khajuria. Bandh extended The bandh call given by BJP and supported by various organisations has been extended to 72 hours. After a meeting of various social, religious and traders’ organisations, it was decided to extend the bandh up to Monday. The next course of action would be decided at a meeting on Monday
	Congress, BJP intensify campaign against minister Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, August 10 While the state government has announced a high-level probe into the Kishtwar riots, Minister of State (MoS) for Home Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo is in the line of fire as the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have intensified their campaign for sacking the minister for allegedly “facilitating” rioters. “The MoS Home is stated to be the mastermind in engineering the riots because in his presence there was a free-for-all situation in the riot-hit Kishtwar town for more than six hours,” Congress MLC from Bhaderwah Naresh Gupta said while pointing a finger of suspicion towards the MoS Home. “Sajjad Kichloo’s role needs to be proved,” Gupta said. “How were arms provided to rioters and why did it take more than four hours to impose curfew in the town?” he asked. “Only by holding people accountable and understanding the reasons for the communal tension can we hope to prevent such incidents in the future,” Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz said in a statement here. Without mentioning any name, the Congress has called on the state government to form an independent commission of inquiry comprising eminent citizens of the state to probe the causes of violence in Kishtwar and allegations levelled by people against the administrative laxity. Soz asked the state government to immediately send a high-level group of ministers, led by the Deputy Chief Minister, to Kishtwar to assess the situation, meet members of the civil society and ensure that sustainable peace returned to Kishtwar. While the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee has avoided targeting Kichloo directly, party leaders demanded an in-depth inquiry into the circumstances leading to the incident and the handling of the situation, besides identifying the culprits. As pressure is mounting on the government to take action against the MoS Home, the Congress has also started exerting indirect pressure. During the prominent citizens’ meeting, which was held yesterday evening, Minister for Public Health Engineering and Flood Control Sham Lal Sharma made it clear that nobody was above the law. As a majority of prominent citizens present at the meeting questioned the role of the MoS Home during the riots, Sharma assured the meeting that rule of law would be restored and anybody found involved in the incident would not be spared. Sources in the Congress said the party had decided to take up the issue with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. As the BJP has been trying to take benefit of the prevailing situation in the Jammu region, the Congress has decided to pressurise the Chief Minister to take some concerted action. The BJP, however, stepped up pressure on the government to sack Kichloo.
	Ensure quality check on rural job scheme: Ministry to state Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, August 10 The Empowered Committee of Ministry of Rural Development has asked the state authorities to ensure a quality monitoring system for assets created under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The committee has directed that an adequate number of state quality monitors should be appointed immediately to inspect the MGNREGA assets and the reports on quality of assets and their utility regularly be uploaded on the Ministry's website. Further, assets created under the MGNREGA could be mapped and photographs uploaded on the website for future use. The directions were passed in a recently held meeting at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, to discuss and scrutinise Labour Budget Estimates under the MGNREGA for 2013-14 submitted by the state government. The ministry emphasised the need to establish a dedicated and an independent social audit directorate, wherein social audits should be conducted at regular intervals. It was decided that the state government would submit a detailed district-wise break-up of release of the state share since the inception of the MGNREGA for consideration. The state was asked to improve the Management Information System (MIS) data-entry level to 100 per cent. The issues of non-completion of audit formalities in Shopian district for 2011-12 and the consequent non-release of the second instalment of the Central share in 2012-13 were also discussed. The MIS data analysis indicated that in Jammu and Kashmir, Arunacal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Nagaland, Uttar Pradesh and Lakshadweep, the participation of women was less than 33 per cent. The Ministry of Rural Development had instructed these states to initiate steps for increasing women's participation. It was decided that the audit for 2011-12 be done by either collecting copies of records from the Vigilance Department or the district should be instructed to conduct audit on the basis of available records at the earliest.
	Jammu bandh creates trouble for tourists, pilgrims Amit Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, August 10 Tourists and pilgrims for Amarnath, Vaishno Devi and Machail yatra had to face the heat of the bandh in Jammu against the communal violence in Kishtwar. There was total chaos at the railway station and the bus stand today. More than 25,000 tourists come here everyday on their way to the Amarnath, Machail and Vaishno Devi shrines. The strike has made it very difficult for pilgrims and tourists. No means of transport were available today due to the strike. Many pilgrims could be seen walking with their bags. “We had to go to Vaishno Devi shrine today. We have confirmed return tickets for tomorrow evening but we can’t reach Katra today,” said Ajay Bakshi, a resident of Delhi. Tourists were running helter skelter to enquire about transport facilities. Due to the non-availability of transport, they were forced to move on foot in search for accommodation. Tourists could not visit Raghunath Mandir or go to the Raghunath Bazar for shopping due to the strike today, “I want to buy a cricket bat from here, but I have to go back without it, said Nakul, a resdient of Delhi. Supriya Sharma, a student from Pune, said, “It was the most hectic day of our holidays. We had just returned from Katra after visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine. We wanted to see other places and temples here but all we can do is sit at the railway station. We are going back without doing any shopping.” Mohan Lal Misra from Lucknow said, “The incident is very unfortunate. The cause of their strike call is right. But the strike is not the only solution for any problem. They should resort to Satyagraha which does not create problems for poor people. There are so many ways to express your views, but a bandh is not acceptable,” he said.
	Panthers Party seeks probe Tribune News Service Jammu, August 10 Panthers Party chairman Harsh Dev Singh today sought a judicial probe into the Kishtwar violence on Friday, which had triggered unrest in various parts of the state. He said the probe by a government agency would not do justice as fingers had been raised on the civil and police administration, too. He said it was unfortunate that these authorities allowed the situation to deteriorate by not taking any action for several hours. Harsh Dev said it should be determined as to how and why the incident occurred on Eid. "What was the cause of provocation? Who is the mastermind behind the incident and what was the role of the civil and police administration in diffusing the situation?" he questioned, adding that people needed answers to all these questions. He said some persons with vested interests had created a similar situation during the 2008 elections with an aim to disrupt peace.
	State Congress delegate session postponed Tribune News Service Jammu, August 10 The much-publicised delegate session of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has been indefinitely postponed due to the prevailing situation in the Jammu region. The delegate session was scheduled to be held on August 11. JKPCC spokesman Ravinder Sharma confirmed that the delegate session had been postponed due to the prevailing law and order situation in the Jammu region after the Kishtwar incident. He said the next date of the session would be announced soon. The session was touted as an attempt to unite the faction-ridden Congress in the state.
	Tomar is BSF IG Tribune News Service Jammu, August 10 The new Inspector General of BSF, Jammu Frontier, SS Tomar, took charge at the BSF headquarters here today. He has joined in place of Rajeev Krishna, who has been transferred to the BSF headquarters in Delhi as the IG Operations. Tomar is a BSF cadre officer who has served in various assignments, including the Indo-Bangladesh border, Indo-Pak border and in anti Naxal operations.
	India, Pak must intervene to stop border skirmishes: CPM Srinagar, August 10 The state CPM has condemned the killing of five Indian soldiers along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and said the leadership of India and Pakistan should intervene to put an end to border skirmishes. “The killing of five Indian soldiers in an ambush on the border is unfortunate and commendable. These incidents must come to an end,” state CPM secretary MY Tarigami said. “Indian and Pakistani leaders should intervene and put an end to the skirmishes between the troops which has led to loss of innumerable precious lives,” Tarigami said. He said the tense situation along the border generated fear among the inhabitants of the areas and could also escalate the situation beyond control. He said important initiatives like trade and travel across the LoC were being affected by the skirmishes. “Unfortunately, the incidents of skirmishes and hostilities along the border derail the efforts of formation of better understanding and amity between the two neighbouring countries,” he said.
	Govt may delay regularisation of unauthorised colonies Sumit Hakhoo Jammu, August 10 The Jammu and Kashmir Government may delay the implementation process to regularise unauthorised colonies in the twin capital cities of the state, keeping in view the opposition by separatists. The government is treading cautiously on the issue. The coalition partners, National Conference and Congress, have differences over the plan, which may delay the process. If the plan is implemented on time, it could bring additional funds from the Central government for improving the condition of various shanty inhabitations. Sources said while the Congress was pushing to speed up the regularisation plan as most of the colonies were in Jammu, which could help the party in the Assembly elections, the National Conference (NC) had reservations, keeping in view the opposition by separatists in the Kashmir valley. Separatists groups have alleged that people from outside the state were being settled in Jammu and Kashmir. Hundreds of residents of about two dozen unauthorised colonies in Jammu and Srinagar cities, who are mostly poor people, have remained without the benefits of several welfare schemes launched by the Central government, as they do not figure in government records. “There is the issue of state subject and non-state subject. A survey is being carried out to identify people living in these colonies so that only those get the benefits of the scheme who are state subjects,” said an official. Hundreds of people from outside the state have made J&K their home in the recent past, who are not entitled to buying land or other benefits enjoyed by the residents of the state, keeping in view the special status. “Though instructions have been issued to officials of the Jammu Development Authority, Srinagar Development Authority and the J&K Housing Board to expedite the process and make necessary recommendations, the final decision may take time. It is a very sensitive issue,” said a source in the Housing Department. Managing Director of the Housing Department Kiran Wattal said, “The regularisation process cannot be started till the survey is completed.” Wattal said a global consultancy firm, Infrastructural Professional Global Enterprises, had been hired to conduct a new survey of requirements of slum colonies, which have come up in recent years. “Most of the areas identified have primitive drinking water and sanitary conditions, despite government’s claims that many projects have been taken up to improve their situation.” The proposed colonies for regularisation include Sanjay Nagar, Balmiki Colony, Shiva Colony, Channi Rama, Kacha Talab, Goswami Colony, Hyderpora (Janipur), Puran Nagar, part of New Plot, Vikas Nagar, Shant Nagar, Qasim Nagar, Kabir Colony (BC Road), Indira Colony (Janipur), Gorkha Nagar, Jogigate/Gujjar Nagar (left out), Basant Vihar, Gorkh Nagar Extension Bahu Fort, Mohalla Masjid Bagh-e-Bahu and Nai Basti/Rampura in Jammu. Some slums in Nowgam and Parimpora in the Kashmir valley are also being regularised. Though instructions have been issued to officials of the Jammu Development Authority, Srinagar Development Authority and the J&K Housing Board to expedite the process and make necessary recommendations, the final decision may take time. It is a very sensitive issue —A source in the Housing Department
	Lack of training mars functioning of finance and accounts staff Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, August 10 Delay by J&K and other states to conduct training programmes for its finance and accounts staff for registration of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) implementing agencies is now proving costly as the Finance Controllers of the states stated that they were facing difficulties in verifying user IDs and passwords required for the registration. The matter came to light in the recently concluded 37th quarterly review meeting of the Finance Controllers of State Implementation Societies of SSA held at New Delhi under the chairmanship of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) Deputy Secretary Virender Singh. Sources said erring states and UTs were directed to finalise the selection and appointment of a CA firm for a statutory audit of the SSA accounts. Further, the Finance Controllers of states were also asked to confirm the appointment of the auditors within a month. Experts of the office of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) had asked the Finance Controllers concerned to send them detailed emails indicating their full particulars. They also advised the states or UTs which were facing problems in organising workshops at their headquarters. Expressing concern over the alleged vacant positions in the Finance and Accounts staff in states at block level, authorities have instructed the Finance Controllers to take steps to fill these vacancies. The Deputy Secretary MHRD issued instructions to the Finance Controllers to ensure prompt compliance of the audit observations. He took an exception of the continuance of old outstanding advances and audit observations and said the release of central share to the states/UTs might get affected.