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SC questions J&K’s biased relief policy for paramilitary forces
Pakistan again targets posts in Poonch district
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India sprucing up airfields in strategic Ladakh region
Sopore Welfare Forum meets Governor
Vijay Bakaya meets Governor
Governor N N Vohra interacts with MLC Vijay Bakaya at Raj Bhawan
in Srinagar on Monday. A Tribune Photograph
Kashmir gets North India’s first 7D theatre
Mirwaiz also pitches for
Singh-Sharif talks
Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq addresses mediapersons at the party headquarters
in Srinagar on Monday. Tribune photo: Amin War VDC member helps avert tragedy, detects explosives near rly bridge
UPA regime has lost credibility: BJP
High Court asks authorities to fill the vacancies at earliest
Six held for ransacking govt office after Gool killings
Mufti exhorts PDP cadre to strengthen secular fabric of state
PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed welcomes new entrants into the party fold
at a function in Jammu on Monday. Tribune photo: Inderjeet Singh Aivalli to get Appleby Award posthumously
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SC questions J&K’s biased relief policy for paramilitary forces
New Delhi, August 26 A three-member Bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam said the July 10, 1990, policy was “really disturbing” as it was against national interest. “You are not helping the cause of national unity. How can you distinguish the victims as “state subjects” and “non-state subjects?” the Bench questioned the state government. The policy prescribes the compensation amounts to personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF) and other paramilitary forces who become victims of violence. While the kin of personnel categorised as “state subjects” get Rs 5 lakh each in case of death, non-state personnel are paid only Rs 2 lakh each. Similarly, the injured paramilitary personnel get Rs 75,000 each if they are from Jammu and Kashmir and Rs 10,000 each if they are from other states. The Bench passed the order after senior counsel Bhim Singh, appearing for PIL petitioner Sudesh Dogra, who has sought a series of steps to help the victims affected by the riots in Kishtwar on the occasion of Eid on August 9, took strong exception to the discriminatory policy. Appearing for the state, senior additional advocate general Gaurav Pachnanda said the state compensation was in addition to such amounts paid by the Centre. He also said no one had challenged the policy all these years, including the PIL petitioner. “Because no one has challenged the policy does not mean it is justified,” the Bench remarked, questioning as to how could the state government pay more to one category and less to another category. “We have a little apprehension about this classification,” it added. However, the Bench acknowledged that Chief Secretary Iqbal Khandey’s affidavit showed that the state government had taken steps to deal with the situation arising from the August 9 violence in which two persons were killed in Kishtwar and one at Gulabgarh and 43, including two police officers, were injured. At this stage, it was not necessary for the SC to issue any directive to the state. “The elected government is conscious of the problem. Why should we issue further direction,” the Bench remarked. Justices Ranjana Desai and Ranjan Gogoi were the other members of the Bench. The court will hear the case again on September 9. Policy really disturbing: Apex court *
A three-member Bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam said the July 10, 1990, policy was “really disturbing” as it was against national interest *
The kin of paramilitary personnel categorised as “state subjects” get Rs 5 lakh each in case of death, while non-state personnel are paid only Rs 2 lakh each *
The Bench passed the order after senior counsel Bhim Singh, appearing for PIL petitioner Sudesh Dogra, who has sought a series of steps to help the victims affected by the riots in Kishtwar on the occasion of Eid on August 9, took strong exception to the discriminatory policy |
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Pakistan again targets posts in Poonch district
Jammu, August 26 “Around 12.30 pm today Pakistani troops started using battalion level weapons, firing mortars and heavy automatics on our posts in Mendhar and Doda Battalion areas along the LoC in Poonch district,” said a senior Army officer. “The heavy firing is still on and we are responding to them in an equal measure,” he added. Defence spokesperson, Col RK Palta, said that last night around 12.15 am Pak troops opened small arms and automatic fire, including mortars, on the Indian posts in Garhi area of Poonch sector. “Indian troops retaliated strongly to the unprovoked firing by Pak troops. There was no casualty or injury to any of our troops in the Garhi sub-sector,” Palta said. He also informed that Pakistani troops opened indiscriminate fire from small arms and targeted civilian areas. The firing stopped around 7.30 am today, Palta added. There have been over 85 ceasefire violations by Pak troops from January 1 till date on the LoC. Pakistan media reports had yesterday claimed that four civilians were killed and three others were injured in Indian firing in Rawalakote sector, opposite Poonch. Meanwhile, the cross-LoC trade and travel via Chakan da Bagh in Poonch district carried on smoothly. “So far the border skirmishes between the two armies have not cast a shadow on the trans-border trade and travel,” custodian of the Chakan da Bagh Cross-LoC Trade Facilitation Center, Mohammed Bashir Lone, told The Tribune over phone. He informed that as many as 31 Pakistan-occupied Kasmir (PoK) citizens returned to their native places in PoK today, while 41 fresh people from the area entered J&K. Lone added that nine Indian citizens returned from PoK. “The trade via Chakan da Bagh is also going on smoothly and fresh consignments would be reaching tomorrow from Tetrinote in PoK,” Lone said. In June last year, trade and travel via Chakan da Bagh was suspended for three weeks due to heavy shelling by the Pakistani troops in the Krishna Ghati sector. |
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India sprucing up airfields in strategic Ladakh region
Jammu, August 26 On April 15-16, 50 soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) along with Molosser dogs intruded 19 km inside the Indian territory in the Daulat Beg Oldie sector in Ladakh and pitched up tents. The three-week stand-off ended on May 5 via hectic diplomatic channels. The Thoise airbase in the Shyok Valley is the lifeline of troops in the Siachen Glacier -the world’s highest battlefield. “Out of the airfields in Leh, Kargil, Thoise, Daulat Beg Oldie, Nyoma and Fukche, the two airfields at Leh and Kargil accommodate civilian flights. The four other airfields at Thoise, Daulat Beg Oldie, Fukche and Nyoma are being improved for the past few years,” said a senior Army officer. While Thoise has been operational since 1984 and it keeps supplying essentials to the troops in Siachen, we had landings of AN 32 aircraft in Nyoma and Fukche but the landing of Super Hercules for the first time at Daulat Beg Oldie near the Karakoram Pass is a step in the right direction, he added. Super Hercules is a heavy lift aircraft that can ferry fully armed troops and replenish supplies in a matter of few hours, he said. Surely, it is a positive move for the Army considering the heightened activities of Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control, he added. A Defence Ministry source said since 2008 onwards three airfields at Nyoma, Fukche and Daulat Beg Oldie were being constantly improved and on need basis they were being used from time to time. “Going by what we witnessed in April this year, the landing of Super Hercules aircraft is certainly a logical step,” said another Army officer. Apart from carrying out rescue and relief operations during natural calamities, the aircraft can support operations of the Special Forces in a matter of hours, he added. He said the Super Hercules could land in semi-prepared airstrips and ferry men and machinery with ease. Daulat Beg Oldie is an important Army forward area which links the ancient silk route to China. The airbase at Daulat Beg Oldie was built during Indo-China conflict in 1962. The IAF reactivated the airfield in 2008 with the landing of Antonov 32. The airstrip was last put to use in the 1965 Indo-Pak war. The IAF had reactivated the Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) located at an altitude of 13,300 feet south east of Leh and 23 km from China border in 2009 with the landing of another Antonov-32. “The Chushul and Demchok airfields in the region are now under consideration of the Defence Ministry but Fukche and Chushul are too close to the China border and that remains a cause of concern for us,” said the official. He said the Fukche airfield in eastern Ladakh, just 3 km from the LAC, was reactivated in 2008 with the landing of AN 32 aircraft. Defence lifeline *
Four airfields at Thoise, Daulat Beg Oldie, Fukche and Nyoma in Ladakh are being improved for the past few years. Two other airfields at Leh and Kargil accommodate civilian flights *
The Thoise airbase in the Shyok Valley is the lifeline of troops in the Siachen Glacier - the world’s highest battlefield *
The Army says the landing of Super Hercules for the first time at Daulat Beg Oldie near the Karakoram Pass is a step in the right direction considering the heightened activities of Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control |
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Sopore Welfare Forum meets Governor
Srinagar, August 26 The deputation led by MJ Iqbal, president of the Forum, as per an official statement, presented to the Governor the civic needs and demands of the people of Sopore town. The demands included speedy construction of the building of Sopore Hospital, Sopore bypass bridge and establishment of a stadium. Other demands included measures required for upgrade of civic amenities at Sopore. The Governor gave a patient hearing to the deputation and observed that the issues raised by it would be taken up with the authorities concerned. He also accepted the delegation’s request to meet their Forum at Sopore, when he visits there next. |
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Vijay Bakaya meets Governor
Srinagar, August 26 He also raised some matters related to the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Package for Kashmiri
migrants. Vohra and Bakaya also discussed the need for maintaining communal harmony in all the regions of Jammu and Kashmir. |
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Kashmir gets North India’s first 7D theatre
Srinagar, August 26 Nearly a decade back, New York-based production house Universal Studios introduced the concept of 7D theatre through its famous science fiction “Jurassic Park”. The 7D theatre later branched out to the rest of the world. Rashid wants to revive the entertainment industry and promote tourism with the 7D theatre. “I feel the entertainment factor is lacking in the Valley. Although we are a great tourism destination, but there are no avenues for entertainment for locals and tourists. It has been more than two decades that theatres have been closed. I decided to try something new and hence brought the 7D theatre to the Valley,” said Rashid. Rashid is being assisted by the State Tourism Department, whose Director inaugurated the theatre in May. But back then, not many people turned up as the 7D idea was relatively new to locals here. “Initially, mostly tourists, especially from metros, came to the theatre. The concept is new not only to the Valley but many other parts of India as well,” “Our theatre is on the banks of the Dal Lake. We cater to a large number of people, including tourists and locals, who after taking a shikara ride on the Dal Lake visit the theater to get real life-like experience of scenes in 7D movies. 7D theatre works with the help of four projectors which are installed in the theatre hall and the seats move in upright, downward, left and right directions as per the moving picture. “Typically, 7D movies are shot by four cameras. These are special movies made for 7D theatre. In India, we are still getting used to 3D and 4D movies. The concept of 7D movies is new. Audiences get the real-like experience of snow, rainfall, sunlight as shown in the movies. Till now, we have shown 7D movies like “Earthquake”, “Haunted House”, “Gold Mine” and “Journey to the Centre” at our theatre,” Rashid said. Tourists and locals are having a thrilling experience at the 7D theatre. “This is superb entertainment. In Mumbai, I have only watched 3D movies. The 7D experience is such that you feel like whatever is happening in the movie is happening to you as well. It has only added to the many attractions in the Valley,” said Sudeep, a tourist from Mumbai. Rashid said it took him Rs 90 lakh to build the theatre in seven months. Special effects *
A Srinagar-based engineer has imported the 7D theatre concept from Universal Studios in Singapore to revive the entertainment industry in the Valley and woo movie buffs with special and simulated effects *
Nearly a decade back, New York-based production house Universal Studios introduced the concept of 7D theatre through its famous sci-fi “Jurassic Park” *
7D theatre works with the help of four projectors which are installed in the theatre hall and the seats move in upright, downward, left and right directions as per the moving picture |
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Mirwaiz also pitches for Singh-Sharif talks
Srinagar, August 26 Addressing a press conference here today, Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq urged both countries to “end hostilities along” the LoC in J&K and take “bold steps” for resolving “issues”, including Kashmir. “The All Parties Hurriyat Conference urgently appeals to both of you to proceed with plans to meet in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September,” Mirwaiz said while referring to the contents of the letter dispatched by the Hurriyat to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif. “Even if it involves some political risks and even if there are additional negative incidents, you must proceed and meet…and start working to reduce the current level of mistrust and defuse the present tension along the LoC and elsewhere in the region,” Mirwaiz said. He suggested to the two neighbours to take a “leaf out of Israel-Palestine” dialogue. The appeal by Mirwaiz came a day after former Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed urged Manmohan Singh to talk to Sharif on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meet. Both appeals by Kashmir-based leaders have come amid growing tension between troops of the two neighbours along the LoC, which has raised concerns in both countries, especially among the people living in frontier regions of the state. “It is important that you do not allow the recent developments to hold back a renewed effort to engage in a process of dialogue and reconciliation,” Mirwaiz said, while referring to the shelling by troops of both countries along the LoC. “Except for those who do not want peace in the region, nobody will gain if the present situation (along the LoC) is allowed to worsen. This threatens to cause a setback to your intended efforts to work with each other and to put India and Pakistan on the path towards peace,” Mirwaiz said. In the letter released to the media at the press conference, the heads of both countries had been urged to “de-escalate” the “tension” along the LoC in Kashmir and “engage” in a dialogue process. “(Amid) growing mistrust…it is incumbent upon the leadership of India
and Pakistan to engage more directly, more urgently and more effectively
in a dialogue with one another,” Mirwaiz has said in the letter. In his letter, the moderate separatist leader has urged both leaders to take “bold and visionary decision” on issues, including “Kashmir dispute”, to usher the region into a “new era of stability and prosperity”. |
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VDC member helps avert tragedy, detects explosives near rly bridge
Jammu, August 26 The seizure was made just 500 metres downstream from a vital railway bridge that connects Samba with Jammu railway station, which is used by over 50,000 passengers every day. The rivulet, which in the past was used for infiltration by terrorists, flows into Pakistan. Official sources said a VDC member, Suresh Kumar, late last night spotted the arms and ammunition on the banks of the rivulet and immediately informed the police. Samba DSP (Headquarters) Munish Anand said the seized ammunition, which probably was dumped by ultras some years ago, included five Chinese pistols (9mm) along with nearly 200 rounds and two loaded magazines, six wireless sets along with eight antennas, two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) concealed in tiffin boxes, four IED shells and seven remote-controlled batteries. “Bein Nullah that flows into Pakistan remained a traditional route of infiltration for the ultras from Pakistan and the possibility of them having dumped the consignment on the banks of the nullah some years back cannot be ruled out. It appears that the weapons were dumped four or five years ago,” he said. An FIR has been registered and investigation initiated, he added. Sources said Suresh Kumar, who was working at a joint check post near the railway bridge, had noticed a portion of the wireless set having come out from under the earth near the Bein nullah. The digging of the area led to the recovery of a polythene bag containing arms, ammunition and explosives this morning. The bomb disposal squad was immediately called and the IEDs were defused at a safe place, the sources added. |
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UPA regime has lost credibility: BJP
Jammu, August 26 Addressing a youth rally organised by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the BJP, at border town of Arnea today, Sharma said the UPA government at the Centre had plundered the nation’s wealth and had lost all credibility to run the country. He said, “The rupee is falling, industrial production is negative, inflation is rising, there is rampant corruption in the country and the common man is helpless.” The state BJP president said the UPA government had failed on all fronts and voters were only waiting for the general elections to throw the Congress out of power. — TNS
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40 posts lying vacant at govt medical colleges in Jammu, Srinagar
Srinagar, August 26 The court has also asked the authorities to file a status report in this regard. The directions were given by a division bench of the J&K Court headed by Chief Justice M M Kumar yesterday. The court is hearing a PIL filed in the wake of infant deaths at the G B Pant Children Hospital last year. Nearly 40 posts of lecturer are lying vacant at these institutions. Earlier in July, the Department of Health and Medical Education in its affidavit had mentioned that it had referred the vacancies at the Government Medical College at Srinagar and Jammu to the Public Service Commission (PSC). Out of these, recommendations for filling up of 38 posts of lecturers — 23 at GMC, Srinagar and 15 at GMC, Jammu — in different departments have been received, the Department of Health and Medical Education had said. The court, on July 8, had asked Commissioner/Secretary, Department of Health and Medical Education, to explain what steps have been taken to fill up the vacant posts at the GMC Srinagar and Jammu. “In pursuance to the order dated 8/7/2013, two affidavits have been filed by Commissioner/Secretary Health and Additional Secretary to Government. In both the affidavits, an effort has been made to depict the number
of vacancies at Government Medical Colleges of Srinagar and Jammu,” the bench observed in its orders while referring to the contents of the fresh affidavits. “A perusal of the affidavits would show that there are large number of vacancies in both GMC Srinagar and Jammu. The overall result is that almost all the 40 posts are lying vacant in the GMCs,” the Court further observed. “We expect respondents to act swiftly and make an endeovour to fill up vacant posts by all lawful methods available whether by referring the vacancies to PSC, DPC or invoking the provisions of SRO 384 of 2009. The needful shall be done at the earliest and status report shall be furnished on the next date of hearing,” the court directed in its orders. Earlier in his submission, senior additional advocate general, Javed Kawoosa, representing the state government, had pointed out that in-charge arrangements have been made in both the colleges. However the court in its orders observed that in charge arrangements would not satisfy the requirement of human resources to deal with the pressure of patients.
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Six held for ransacking govt office after Gool killings
Jammu, August 26 The SIT hasn’t yet submitted its report, on the basis of which the police claims to have arrested the accused. The youths have been identified as Muhammad Yousuf, a resident of Maitra, Muhammad Ali, a resident of Kabhi, Abdul Majeed, a resident of Cafeteria Morh, Ramban, Muhammad Rafiq, a resident of Sumber, Gulam Ali, a resident of Sumber, and Fareed Ahmed, a resident of Seri in Ramban. “These people were involved in ransacking the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Ramban after the Gool incident. Anyone who is involved in criminal activity will be punished,” said Javed Mattoo, Ramban Superintendent of Police (SP). “The arrested persons were identified by the SIT, formed to probe the damage occurred in Ramban after the Gool incident,” the SP said. The Ramban SP had, however, no answer as why no action was taken against culprits responsible for the killing of four people in Dharam village of Gool tehsil in Ramban district. “The matter is under investigation and the SIT has been formed to probe the incident. But the report hasn’t yet been submitted,” Mattoo said, adding whosoever is responsible for the killings will be punished. On July 18, four people were killed in alleged firing by the Border Security Forces and the police in Dharam village of Gool, following which Ramban witnessed widespread protests. Two SITs were formed, one to probe the events leading to the killings in Gool, and another to probe the damage occurred in Ramban town. The investigation teams have not submitted their reports yet. “The SIT is doing its job and hasn’t yet submitted its report,” said SIT in charge Deputy Superintendent of Police Muzzaffar Hussain. |
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Mufti exhorts PDP cadre to strengthen secular fabric of state
Jammu, August 26 Mufti said the PDP had not only strengthened relations among different regions and sub-regions of the state but also facilitated peace in the subcontinent. Addressing a function to welcome BJP leader Ishtaq Ahmed Wani who along with his supporters joined the PDP here today, the PDP patron said his party had pioneered a political and economic agenda to establish sustainable peace in the subcontinent. “Establishing a lasting peace and to consolidate the reconciliation process is the top agenda of the PDP,” he said and added that the party would continue its effort to normalise the relations between India and Pakistan. “Our party, through its pro-peace policies, has consolidated the reconciliation process and facilitated efforts of establishing peace in the region,” he said, adding that the beginning of the cross-LoC trade and opening of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawlakote roads were the noticeable achievements of the PDP. The PDP patron said it was result of the PDP’s reconciliatory policies that there was complete peace and normalcy on the border from Kathua to Kargil during its regime. He, however, regretted that the present government had failed to carry forward the agenda of peace in the state. “The previous NDA regime headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee had wholeheartedly supported our initiatives,” he said while recalling the historic rally of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Kashmir on April 18, 2003, when he had extended a hand of friendship towards Pakistan at a time when tension was running high on borders. “It was our conviction and credibility that despite tension on border at that time, Atal Bihari Vajpayee had made a historical announcement from Kashmir which ultimately led to easing of the tension on the borders.” Hafiz Wani and Manzoor Hakim also joined the
PDP today. Former minister Rangil Singh, Balbir Singh, MLC Yashpal Sharma, Ved Mahajan, Mehboob Iqbal, Hamid Choudhary and Pritam Kotwal were also present. |
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Aivalli to get Appleby Award posthumously
Jammu, August 26 The award would be presented to his widow by the IIPA, New Delhi. Aivalli served as the Honorary Secretary of J&K regional branch of IIPA for nearly two decades from 1979 and is considered to be the brain behind its establishment. Aivalli passed away in New Delhi in August 2002 after a brief illness at the age of 59. A 1966-batch IPS officer of J&K cadre, Aivalli was also a recipient of the President’s Police Medal. He was also awarded for the meritorious public service, posthumously, by the Jammu and Kashmir Government in 2002. Aivalli served as the IGP, Kashmir and DIG, south Kashmir Range at a time when the militancy in the state was at peak He even got seriously injured in a bomb blast at the Police Head Quarters in Srinagar on January 24, 1992. Apart from heading the state intelligence department, Aivalli also served as the Vigilance Commissioner, J&K. His last assignment was, however, as the Commissioner, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, in New Delhi. |
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Jammu, August 26
A deputation of the Sopore Welfare and Development Forum called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today.
The deputation led by MJ Iqbal, president of the Forum, as per an official statement, presented to the Governor the civic needs and demands of the people of Sopore town.
Member of Legislative Council
(MLC) Vijay Bakaya met Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar
today. Bakaya discussed with the Governor several issues related to the need for ensuring rapid socio-economic development of
the state.
Srinagar, August 26
The moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has urged the prime ministers of India and Pakistan to meet on the sidelines of the forthcoming UN General Assembly meet in New York next month to engage in a process of dialogue and reconciliation.
Patron of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today exhorted the party cadre to strengthen the secular fabric of the state. He said the biggest message of his party was to spread peace, amity and tranquillity in the region.
